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Name: SMITH, Allison Eugene 'Puggy' OBE, MC (Major)
Nee: bro of Clarence Vernon Smith
Birth Date: 15 July 1878 Halifax, Nova Scotia
Death Date: 8 Feb 1948 Durban
First Date: 1913
Profession: Farmer at Narosurra Farm, Eldama Ravine; Canada Farm at Equator; Miniota Farm, Ainabkhoi
Area: Eldama Ravine, 1925 Narosurra Farm, Eldama Ravine
Married: In Camberwell 17 Dec 1908 Millicent Dearlove b. 11 Jan 1886 Elm, Cambs., d. 8 Feb 1970 Nakuru (sister of Kathleen Tatham-Warter and Philip Dearlove)
Children: Phillip Mortimer Allison (1911 Plymouth-1912); Lewis Mortimer Allison (19 Aug 1913 Teignmouth-9 Nov 2001 Ridgetown, Ontario); Peter Gray Allison (17.12.1915 Nakuru-12 Mar 1988 Totnes); Mary Raymonde (22 Oct 1922 Nakuru-d. Nairobi, m. George Michael Low); Anthony (1925-1925)
Book Reference: Golf, Letter from R.G. Ridley, KAD, Red 25, Hut, Red 31, Red 22, Stud, Gazette, Racing, Rift Valley, LG
General Information:
Gazette 6 Dec 1938 Rift Valley Voters List
Letter from R.G. Ridley - "Prior to WW1 some of the early settlers tried to make a living growing flax in the Lumbwa area. They eventually had to give this up and Major A.E. 'Puggy' Smith and Harry Gunson - 'Gunny' were two of the first who moved to Ravine and started with coffee and cattle .....…..
'Puggy' was one of the more fortunate settlers - one of his family had founded the Royal Bank of Canada - who could draw on overseas funds to develop 'Nairosura' in Ravine, a farm at Equator station and another at Timboroa [actually, Ainabkhoi]. So many better farmers were having to create overdrafts for the same purpose; a fatal move when the full effects of the 1929 depression hit Kenya.
The Ravine crowd were a happy family. We often, both in the middle 30s and in 1946-49 spent week-ends with the Smiths and Gunsons. Tennis and Bridge; dinner in pyjamas and dressing gowns. Far different from the 'Happy Valley' way of life. .…."
Red 22 - Secretary and Treasurer, Ravine Farmers' Association
EA Stud Book 1954 - Brood Mares - Thoroughbred - Breeders - Major A.E. Smith (1933)
Gazette - 7/4/15 - Liable for Jury service, Ravine - Capt. A.E. Smith, Ravine
Gazette - 4/11/1914 - Appt. - East Africa Volunteer Force - To be Lieutenant - A.E. Smith, late Captain Royal Garrison Artillery (Reserve of Officers)
Well known golfer at Njoro in 20's.
Racing - Owner of 'Ambreda' - 1930 - Major A.E. Smith
Rift Valley - Member of the Rift Valley Sports Club - Jan 1929 - Elected - 27 Mar 1914 - Maj. A.E. Smith
London Gazette - 7 February 1919 - OBE for valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in East Africa - Major Allison Eugene Smith, MC, R. of O., RGA
Gazette - 3/12/1919 - Register of Voters - Rift Valley Area - Major A.E. Smith - Farmer - Eldama Ravine and Mrs M. Smith - Eldama Ravine
KAD 1922 - Hon. Sec. & Treasurer, Ravine Farmers' Association.
Red 25 - Honorary Permit Issuer. Secretary & Treasurer, Ravine Farmers' Association
Gazette - 7-9-1948 - Probate and Administration - Major Allison Eugene Smith late of Eldama Ravine who died at Parklands Nursing Home, Durban, Natal on 8 February 1948. Applied for by Millicent Smith
Gazette - 4/5/1921 - Presentation of Honours by Governor - Major A E Smith - OBE
Gazette - 4/5/1921 - Presentation of Honours by Governor - Major A E Smith - MC
Gazette 7 Sep 1948 probate
Howard Smith (grandson): I don't believe that Puggy had access to overseas funds as stated, because it was Puggy's grandfather & great uncle who incorporated The Merchants Bank of Halifax in 1869. In 1901 it became The Royal Bank of Canada, by which time his grandfather had died. By the time of the Great depression his father had also died and I have found no reference that his father was involved with the Royal Bank. However, I suspect that Puggy did receive a handsome inheritance following his father's death in 1926.
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