| 6. | i. | JAN GERHARDUS3 "LIEBENBERG", b. 28 Jan 1885, Bloemhof, South Africa; d. 28 Dec 1956, Pretoria, South Africa.. | |
| ii. | JULIUS WRONSKY, b. 22 Jun 1889, Makouwrskop, district Wolmaranstad.; d. 09 Apr 1917, Arras, France WW1.1. |
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Notes for JULIUS WRONSKY: Julius was a teacher before he enlisted. He attended St. Andrwes collage in Grahamstown From 1903 to 1907. The following information courteousy of Penny Tyson, Archivist at St. Andrews college in Grahamstown. "The number 1892 is a unique number – each Old Andrean has his number. Julius was the son of F (who is not an OA because if he was his number would have been given); he left St Andrew’s in September 1907; he was born on 22/6/1889; he was in Espin House. He went from Form II – VI. He was Cadet Sergeant Major in the Cadet Corps. Played for the 2nd rugby team. Matriculated in 1908; involved in mining; was in the Great War, killed in action in German E Africa in 1917. (This is incorrect. He died and is buried in France.) The St Andrew’s College Magazine September, 1907, has an entry under ‘OA News’ which says that J Wronsky entered the Normal College of the Transvaal at the beginning of this term. This is obviously where he wrote his Matric in 1908." From Rory Reynolds - a collector of War Medals (who contacted me via Maureen Wronsky): All SA troops who saw service in any of the theatres of the war - in Julius' case - the Western Front - received at least 2 medals. The British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal. The BWM was an automatic award you almost just had to report for duty for that one while the AVM was awarded only if you were in a theatre where fighting was taking place. Julius would have been awarded the medals posthumously them going to his next of kin. I'll be able to tell you who that was after I've been to Pretoria in about 2 weeks time. I sure would like to track them down - in the case of a KIA (Killed in action) there was also a round, bronze death plaque with his full names on it. It would have come with the medals. |
| 7. | iii. | WILLIAM HENRY WRONSLEY, b. 30 Sep 1890, Makouwskop, Western Transvaal, SA; d. 15 Aug 1946, Voortrekke hospital, Kroonstad. O.F.S.. | |
| iv. | ALICE ELIZABETH WRONSKY2, b. 16 Jan 1892. |
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Notes for ALICE ELIZABETH WRONSKY: In her mothers death notice, Alices' address is given as a convent in Wales, England. (Undecipherable.) She later came to SA to take care of her niece, Jean Lloyd-Wronsley, who was very ill. I think (not yet confirmed, that Alice joined The Academy in Newcastle, South Africa, after little Jean died. I have a photo of "Sr. Alice Benjamin" with the Academy's name on the reverse. Alice left from Durban, South Africa bound for London, arriving on the 12th January 1912. She then travelled to Whales. |
| i. | MISS JULIA EDITH3 WRONSKY, d. Apr 1985; m. JAMES HENRY DAVIS. |
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Notes for MISS JULIA EDITH WRONSKY: Julia and Jim Davies never had any children. Julia was a keen writer. She wrote many stories, sending them to publishing houses, periodicals and newspapers and even had a few published. I visited her occasionally at her house in Menlo Park, Pretoria. On the day before she passed away, I took my son Stephen, then only 2 years old for a visit. I found her in bed - clearly not well. I called her doctor, who said he would go around to see her later that day. I asked Julia whether she had had anything to eat. "No" she replied "but I would like some fish and chips from the cafe on the corner". I bought the food for her and took it to her. We had to go home for Stephens' nap. The next day Julia passed away. I dont know whether she ate the fish and chips. |
| ii. | MISS ELLA WRONSKY, b. 31 Jul 1891, Rhenosterput, District Lichtenburg, Transvaal, SA; d. 12 Oct 1975. |
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Notes for MISS ELLA WRONSKY: Unfortunately, I never spoke to my Dad about Ella. The family never had very much contact with her because "she was such an unpleasant character". I do know, however, that she lived in an old block of flats in an old part of Johannesburg, possibly Hillbrow, in the early 1970's. The block was due to be demolished but Ella refused to move. According to newspaper articles (which i have yet to research) seen by my mother, the powers that were, dumped her furniture on the pavement outside the flats. Ella took a stand (or a seat rather!), sitting on her couch on the pavement until her brother, Rudolph came to fetch her and made accommodation arrangements for her. She was a teacher at a school in JHB but that also is yet to be confirmed. |
| iii. | MISS LILY WRONSKY, b. 1893, District of Schweizer Reneke, Transvaal, South Africa.; d. 31 Jan 1980, Potchefstroom, South Africa.. |
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Notes for MISS LILY WRONSKY: Lily lived in Klerksdorp almost all her life. She taught at the local primary school for more than 50 years. The local newspaper wrote a special feature on her on the occasion of her 50 years as a teacher at the school. She was engaged to a "Polish Count" who also was an accomplished violinist. Sadly, he died during the Great Influenza epidemic in 1919. Lily's mother, Hedwig, suffered a stroke and came to live with Lily until Hedwig passed away. Lily spent her last years in the Methodist Old Age Home in Potchefstroom. She was cremated and my father put a plaque for her and her mother Hedwig, at the Wall of Remembrance in Klerksdorp. In a letter that Lily wrote to her cousin Kate Neumann, a copy of which was give to me by Henry and Ilse Gunby (Ilse's mother was Katherine - Kate Neumann) who contacted me recently, Lily wrote : 42 Observatory Road Klerksdorp South Africa 16-5-(19)47 My dear Käte, With great joy did I receive your air-borne letter, which was only about 10 days in transit. It took me quite a time to read your letter as my German is rather poor. However, you writing is (indecipherable) and it is a good practice for me. So do please write again. You are not a stranger to me, for Mother often spoke about her nieces and nephews. Of course, our Father and Uncle Siegfried always corresponded with us - until the war came. I am quite au feit with your (indecipherable), as both Aunt Henriette and Mrs Gadsby forwarded me the letters of both your daughters. I was distressed to hear of the cruel time you had. It is best forgotten, if that be a possibility, at all. Mr Churchill always said that “…as we go forward together…”. At this stage let me wish both you and Ilse very great happiness in your new (indecipherable ) and the young ones left behind experience better times in the future. Hottle’s (?) letter, which you enclosed, is the first and only communication I have had from her, so far. I wonder whether the letters are still in transit or lost. In one of her letters, she mentioned the size of her shoes. Please tell her and send the size again through you so I can send her some shoes. I see she prefers a medium heel, which I shall try to get, when I hear from her about this matter. I am delighted to hear that she received 2 packages. This encouraging news is an incentive for me to send more parcels. George Kerby’s address is Box 477, Windhoek, South West Africa. He sent me £4 to send on to our needy relatives. I bought 2 dress lengths of washing material and 2 petti-coat lengths with this money. I thought of sending these to Hottel,(?) when I am convinced that the parcels are reaching their destination. Last week, I had a wedding card from George’s daughter Helen. She is to be married on 24/5/47 at Windhoek. She is named after our Grandmother, Helena Neumann. George’s wife died about 5 years ago. He is still Town Clerk there, and he retained his position because of shortage of man power. He reached the pensionable age (60) some years ago. He knows you well from your student days and says you were a pretty girl. He has 2 brothers in America, a heart specialist and Paul, the musician, who has diabetes. I am due to go on pension (55) in March 1948 but understand that my services will be extended until December 1948. This will suit my purse, after that I’m afraid I cannot carry on. Mother’s illness was very long and very tiring. I have never regained my strength although she passed away 5 years ago. It was a tragedy to see her paralyzed for 51/2 years. Yes, Aunt H is truly a wonderful woman. The table centers and chair back covers which she made for me recently are a work of art. They are of cobweb appearance and without flaws. Her eyesight, as well as her brain, must be very keen. I have had for perusal the snaps of (indecipherable) 2 girls in the garden and one of Hottel (?) and “her husband”. These belonged to Mrs Gadsby. The snap Aunt ”H” sent of you (indecipherable) in Brazil. This is a pity. Somewhere, I must have old snaps of Mother’s people in Berlin. I think you might like them since you know the folks personally. Let me know and I shall send them for I expect you lost all your personal items. I won’t (indecipherable) letter to Liselottle (?) so will end. With affectionate greetings for both of you from Lily Wronsky. Note from transcriber (Denise Barnard): Lily Wronsky and Käte Neumann were 1st cousins, Lily’s mother, Hedwig Neumann and Käte’s father, Max Neumann were siblings. |
| 8. | iv. | WALTER WRONSKY, b. 29 Nov 1894, Rhenosterput, District Lichtenburg, Transvaal, RSA; d. 1952. | |
| 9. | v. | RUDOLF WRONSKY, b. 05 Jul 1897; d. 23 Mar 1988. |
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