Derek, I have been re reading my meagre Dyamond file and came accross a letter from my uncle George Dyamond in reply to my queries about the Dyamonds and my grandmothers family, the Bushbys. It's a pity my mother isn't here - she knew all the stories and kept in touch with her cousins in Cape Town (Dot White). My uncle recalls that my grandfather John Thomas Dyamond was born in Bairnsdale,Victoria (Australia) 17/4/1871 (Please note I write dates in order of day/month/year - the way God intended,NOT the American way !) He was one of a large family and some of the siblings were George,Henry (Harry) Edward,Arthur,James
etc and sisters Emma,Jane and others.
James was the son of John and born out of wedlock, George and Harry left Australia to fight for "King and country" in the Boer War
and remained in South Africa after the war.
George had a family of 5 and Harry had 11 children. There are more Dyamonds in South Africa than are here. My Uncle George has one son Lloyd George who in turn has had 2 sons. My grandfather Pop Dyamond's brother Arthur lived in Bairnsdale and survived after serving in France in WW1 and being wounded by schrapnel. I will have to find his details. I recall a letter arriving from South Africa informing my mother that a Dyamond rel had won a lottery. My mother was thrilled. Uncle George recalls that Captn George Dyamond won 97,500 pounds in 1927 and lived in Jo'burg and Durbin. I'm not sure what my memory is about,although I can remember being shown a newspaper cutting sent from SA, perhaps in the 1960's ?
Uncle George doesn't remember his grandfather John Dyamond,which is not surprising as John was in his fifties when he married Harriet Cleveland. I have a copy of their marriage certificate which shows they were married in Bairnsdale on 13/4/1884
John from Hastings England was 55yo and Harriet nee Cleveland was 38yo from London. Johns parents were Thomas Dyamond and Sarah Johnson and Harriet's were Thomas Cleveland and Harriet Pulling,all listed on this document as deceased. I meant to do some checking of John's immediate family in Hastings when I was in the UK in '96, but time got away from me. This is all I can think of at present. If you want to contact me direct, my email address is
mtovey@theage.fairfax.com.au The Age refers to a daily newspaper in Melbourne where I am employed. My brother Michael and I look forward to hearing from you Derek. Regards Mary.