Hogan plus Vowles

On this day, 14th September 1898, my Father, John Henry Alfred Hogan, was born in Chatham in Kent to an Irish immigrant family. His Father, William Hogan, is listed on the birth certificate, as a Blacksmith with His Majesty's Gun Wharf, the Admiralty in Chatham and his Mother, Mary Ellen Hogan [formerly Leary] gave birth to him at home in Oliver Street, Chatham. The Family came originally from Cappoquin, Co. Waterford in Ireland, and William was a Blacksmith there and built the gates at the famous monastery at Mount Mellory. He served in British Army as a Farrier and there is a record of him in Cairo [1860's] being recommended for further service so I guess it was natural to take the excellent post on the Medway and there raise a family that included my Father and two brothers and sisters. I am no sure of the exact year of the pictures but it is roughly about the time of my Father's 50th birthday. There's my Mum, Keith, my Dad, and yours truly [with red hair and Brylcre

Today would have been Keith's Birthday. One does not expect that your younger brother will die before you and that thought makes me sad but only for awhile. His children loved him and they are really nice people. He was happy with June and they had a good life together. I'm sad because we lost contact but that's what happens in families. The B&W photograph is Keith about 10 and myself 12 years of age. The other picture is Keith with Jack, it's one of the last pictures of Jack, he was the one kind of person every family needs, [another was Uncle Fred,] they keep families together by being kind and listening. So today think of June and Keith's children - they must be sad.