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Name: HODGE, Margaret Mary Vere 'Molly', Mrs

Nee: Neilson

Birth Date: 30.7.1896 Kettering

Death Date: 23.4.1995 Nairobi

First Date: 1919

Area: Nakuru

Married: In Uppingham, Rutland 1919 Stephen Oswald Vere Hodge (1891-1979)

Children: William Francis Vere (23 Oct 1920 Rumuruti-24 June 2021 NSW, Australia); Michael Vere (14 Feb 1922 Tamworth-12 Jan 2018 El Segundo, California); Donald Lane Vere (14 May 1924 North Kavirondo-19 Jan 2010 Hampshire)

Book Reference: Golf, Curtis, Stud, A.G.D. White

General Information:

Curtis - p. 64 - 'Laikipia Via Gilgil (1)' - 'Molly Hodge reached Mombasa on Christmas Day 1919 by s.s. Garth Castle en route to Rumuruti where her husband was the first post-war DC. He met her at the Coast and she recalls part of their journey up-country together:  ......... train again on our way to Gilgil ....….
That night we called on Lady Colville [sic], who lived near the Gilgil Hotel. I was surprised to see a hen sitting on eggs near the head of her bed.  .......... We saw no human being, black, brown or white, for the first 55 miles, so it was exciting to meet the Barradells, also riding mules. ...
Ladies' Champion at Nakuru GC in 1933/34, 1937
EA Stud Book 1954 - Brood Mares - Thoroughbred - Breeders - Mrs M.M.V. Hodge
EA Stud Book 1954 - Thoroughbred Stallions - Mrs M.M.V Hodge, Sidai, Nakuru  
A.G.D. White - post WW1 - Molly Hodge said that her husband was almost totally preoccupied in those days with the Soldier Settlers' Scheme. Some of those who came were quite ignorant about what to expect and some even expected to find housing on the properties they had drawn. ……… All types of people turned up at Rumuruti.  ……..  Molly Hodge recalled Bert {H.A.D. White} being kind to her soon after the arrival of her first child in 1920. He rode across to Rumuruti and took her out for a ride in his mule gharry. She always remembered this ride across the bush and his words of caution to her to watch out for the lions. She said it was all 'bump and bang' and rather an 'energetic' sort of a trip. ………
According to Molly Hodge, when she first made the journey to Gilgil from Rumuruti in 1920, the journey took 10 days. It is interesting that she did not remember seeing a single African, or evidence of African settlement, between Gilgil and Rumuruti during that first journey. ……………. Molly Hodge told me that because of the difficulty of transport and roads in those years 1920-21, when she lived at Rumuruti, they never in fact moved out of the area for the whole duration of their 2 year posting. They came to Rumuruti well stocked up with necessities from Fortnum and Mason, and all they purchased locally was paraffin, sugar, soap and flour.
The 3 sons went to Pembroke House

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