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Alexander and Isabella's Grave

South Malvern Cemetery, near Coalgate, South Canterbury

It was a cold frosty day when I persuaded my cousin Dawn to drive me out to a cemetery near Glentunnel, about 40 minutes from Christchurch. Armed with a map from the local council (kindly left for me at Darfield), we prepared to locate the cemetery. Glentunnel is on State Highway 77, en route to Mount Hutt, and Coalgate is just 3kms down the road. Noting that the NZSG records had recorded the cemetery as being in Coalgate, we headed for that village.

Up and down the main street of Coalgate, and no sign of a cemetery. Dawn and I finally asked directions at the local garage. "Turn left" we were told. No chance of confusion - there is only one left turn to make, and within 30 seconds we were outside Coalgate, on the road to Glentunnel. About two minutes down the road we found the cemetery on the left.

The map was hardly needed, as the cemetery is very small, although still in use. Spying Alexander and Isabella's grave on my right, I was impressed at the good condition - either someone has looked after it, or the cold winters keep the headstone clean. Also mentioned on the headstone and on a marble slab at the gate was Arthur NICOL, Alexander and Isabella's son, who was killed in the Great War - thankfully after Alexander's death.

Behind the grave and back towards the road, I also found the graves of Mary Horn NICOL (Alexander and Isabella's daughter) and Mary's son James TROUP.

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