Family And Tragedy
Marriage
Robert McCallum married Henrietta (Hetty) West in 1905.
He married late in life, aged 40, which was unusual at the time. His bride, Hetty was also much younger than him – she was 22 years old at the time, an age difference of 18 years.
Dysfunctional Relationship
Their marriage was anything but harmonious.
Many delectable journal entries explore the complicated relationship between the irascible diarist and his petulant wife. (see the section on Conflict)
Children
Ivan, Valerie and Bruce. The children were all born within 4 years of each other.
In contrast to some other aspects of his life, numerous journal entries evidence he was a loving, patient and devoted father.
Tragedy: Eldest Son Ivan – Dies Of Typhoid Age 3
Ivan was born 1906, conceived during Robert and Hetty’s honeymoon.
Everyday routines such as taking Ivan for walks, or for “byke rides” as well as important milestones such as “got him christened” and “his first piss in the pot” are dutifully recorded.
Tragically Ivan died at of typhoid at age 3 in 1909. The heartfelt diary entries of his slow death make for compelling reading. His little body put in a coffin, in the dining room, in the same house where the diaries would be discovered over a hundred years later.
Daughter Valerie – Daddy’s Little Girl
His daughter, Valerie, was born in 1907. The diaries paint a picture of a happy and contented girl.
She attended Auckland Girls Grammar School from 1921 to 1925. She was a Prefect in her final year and school records show she was a “bright” student. She graduated with a B.A. in 1930. Many journal entries document her love for “the pictures”, golf, and her out-going personality.
A Father’s Angst
The diary entries of Valerie coming of age (with late nights, and of boyfriend suitors showing up at the door) through the pen of her angst-ridden and hypocritical father make for amusing and relatable reading.
Valerie would have been 31 at the time of her father’s death in 1938. Research reveals she went on to marry Jim Lyon, one of the boyfriends mentioned in the diaries. She died in Auckland in 1972 aged 65. Remarkably, however she was childless.
Youngest Son Bruce
His younger son, Lawrence Bruce – “Bruce” was born in 1909, the same year that little Ivan died. The diaries indicate he was a physical and sporty boy with a love of the outdoors.
Milestones such as “Bruce was circumcised ” and “first day at Sunday School” are lovingly recorded as are everyday activities such as taking Bruce for tram rides, byke rides, and swims.
He attended Mt Albert Boys Grammar School 1923-1925 where records show he was a “good” student.
Many journal entries document his love for sailing, fishing, and the outdoors. He was to, later on, became Vice-Commodore of the local yacht club. Bruce would have been 29 at the time of his father’s death in 1938.
Tragedy… Bruce Shot Down
Tragically, research reveals that Bruce died at age 34 in 1943… only 5 years after his father had passed away.
Ironically, the little boy who was infatuated with “flying machines” died in a plane crash. He was shot down over Belgium, serving as an air bomber for the Royal Air Force in World War II.
Records show Flight Sergeant Bruce McCallum was shot down by a night fighter after a raid on Cologne, Germany, and crashed over Belgium on the return journey.
In all, 28 crew were lost, only two crew bailed out successfully, one evaded capture and made his way back to England, the other was taken, prisoner.
Bruce was unmarried and childless.
No Descendant
Amazingly then, though the diarist had three children, there are no living descendants
Ivan died at age 3 of typhoid, Valerie married, lived a normal life but did not have any children, and Bruce died in World War Two, unmarried and childless.
This is significant for two reasons.
- Though extremely sad, it enriches and adds drama to the story.
- It enables the story to be told. Since there are no living direct relatives, there is no legal or moral claim to ownership of the diaries.
The diaries hidden for a hundred years can remain intact, do not have to be divided between family members and/or handed down through successive generations. Further, there are no family interests to protect, no one to object to sharing such personal and candid writings, to “airing of dirty laundry in public” and/or otherwise to hinder the diaries being published.
Note: For additional information and chart see Family Tree.