Seeing the helpful responses I have had to my inquiry about Alexander Will, I will put another question forward.
My husband and I have a war history museum on our farm on the south coast of Western Australia. I try to research as much as possible about the former owners of the items we display so that we can tell their stories.
One such grouping belonged to a Lt Col Thomas Picton Fleetwood. He served in the African wars prior to the Boer War. We have a beautifully carved wooden lap desk that was made by Thomas for his wife in 1892. On the inside of the desk is a tiny label which was written by his wife. It states that as her husband was making the locks for the desk, his chisel slipped and he almost severed his thumb. This led to his death from "blood poison" on 5th January 1893. The locks are still within the desk.
In response to this, his wife embroidered a box to place her desk in. It has IM on top (In Memorium) and the date. The four sides have his regimental insignia plus his family crest while the top has flowers.
My question relates to a coincidence, or does it? The box and desk were purchased on eBay in Australia. While looking for information about TPF, I located a baby born in Albury NSW on 5th September 1896 who was called Thomas Picton Fleetwood Kershaw. It seems too unlikely that the parents would have chosen all three names for their child randomly. I cannot establish any connection between them.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Kathryn.
