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Hugh was the only sibling not present in the family photograph above. Two stories about the absence have survived – one is that the family had a contagious disease – diphtheria perhaps - and so were quarantined and the other is that Hugh had fallen out with one or some of his siblings and refused to join the photo session Beatrice Vernon his niece recalls that Rosa his daughter had told of his mistreatment of her however Beatrice also maintained that he was very good to her mother, his sister Eleanor, when her husband left them. Hugh helped support them financially and took and interest in Beatrice’s well being. Beatrice also recalls that in the latter years May and Hugh split up due to his ill treatment of her. Rosa their daughter wanted her mother, Mary or Mae, to move in with her and her family. In 1911 Hugh was a Representative in the employment of Empire Engineering Co. Mae taught piano in Urmston and was good friend with her sister in law Mima Falconer. Hugh died on 18th February 1959 in Morecombe and May in 1954 in Barton on Irwell. Left: This postcard of Capstone was sent to George, Hugh and Mary's son, by Grace Ferguson,(nee Dunbar) during one of her trips back to England from Australia. It is the house George grew up in. Hugh Dunbar still resided there at the time. |