GOLDEN WEDDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20263, 24 May 1929, Page 7

GOLDEN WEDDING.

MR. AMD MRS, A. McGILP.

CELEBRATION AT BIRKENHEAD,

The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander McGilp. of Hinemoa Street, Birkenhoad, will bo celebrated !on Sunday. The marriage was performed in the Presbyterian Church. Onehunga. on May 26, 1879, by the Rev. George Brown, who is still resident at Onehunga, and is in his 96th year. Mr. McGilp was bom in Argyllshire, Scotland, on October 14. 1847, and is'the only surviving member of a family of seven. He started life as a, shepherd ori his grandparents' property in Scotland, and travelled to New' Zealand, in the sailing ship Orari in 1876. He joined the police force and was subsequently stationed at the Bay of Islands for 11 years, Hokianga for six years, Cambridge for four years, Waipu for a short period, Grey Lynn for two years and. Birkenhead for four years, then retiring after 35 years' service. Mrs. McGilp, who also is a member of a family which numbered seven, is & daughter of the late Mr. William Marlborough Douglas/ civil engineer, and wail born at Lisnava'gh, County Carlow, Ireland, on January 18, 1857. The family came to New Zealand in the sailing ship Yerdale during the Maori Wars. While on war service a year after his arrival Mr. Douglas died of pneumonia, and Mrs. Douglas died a year later. Mr. and Mrs. McGilp had 10 children. Four daughters, two of whom are married, and three sons. Messrs. Alexander D. McGilp and L. Donald McGilp, of Birkenhead, and Mr. Douglas A. McGilp, of Great South Road. Ellerslie, are living. There are nine grandchildren. The second son was the late Major Clyde McGilp. D.5.0.. who went to the South African War when he was only 17 years old. Ho also served in the Great War, going in (he Main Boclv from New Zealand and taking part in the Gallipoli landing and evacuation. On returning to the Dominion in May, 1918. he was appointed artillery instructor ;it Featherston camp, but later, died of influenza.