Home About Contact

Summers Liggins Family

Charles William Summers married Constance Liggins in 1913

Under Research

Extracts from Nancy Summers' (nee Ross) correspondence ...

Charl in Dress Uniform Charles William - Charl left school in std. 4 and apprenticed to a butcher. He grew sturdy and strong and was able to cut up an ox without mechanical aid. His father died (age 58) when Charl was 19. His mother and sister returned to the West family in the Coventry area. Charl now ran a dairy for Miss Amey of Petersfield.

The ‘Anglo Boer War’ was a chance to see far away lands. Charl joined the S.A.C. (South African Constabulary) and set sail to South Africa.

Picture of Charl in Dress Uniform (taken at Petersfield)

He found himself stationed at Ottoshoop, between Mafeking (now Mafikeng) and Zeerust, the site of a gold rush some years previously.
They were a large regiment of Police to keep order in the area. When the war was over many of the lads decided to stay, but first they were taken back to England and demobilised there

He settled in Zeerust where he started several businesses including farming (cattle) and was an active member of the town council for 17 years.
He was elected mayor twice.
His sons Dick and Gib carried on with the business under the Summers Bros. company.

Charles William Summers

Born:
3 July 1875

Place:
Ightham, Kent

Married:
1913

Place:
Capetown SA

Died:
May 1947 (Age 71)

Place:
Zeerust, SA

Occupation:
Butcher/Farmer/Businesman

Father:
William Summers

Mother:
Annie West

Married

Constance Liggins

Born:
6 April 1885

Baptised:

Place:
Kenilworth, Warwick, England

Died:
June 1954 (Age 69)

Place:
Zeerust, SA

Father:
Joseph Liggins (Master Baker)

Mother:
Emily Gilbert

CHILDREN

Mary Sumers

Born:
1916

Place:
Zeerust, SA

Died:
Age 3 months

Richard Charles Summers (Dick)

Born:
30 August 1917

Place:
Zeerust, SA

Married:
July 1943

Place:
Zeerust, SA

Died:
19xx (Age ?)

Place:
Zeerust South Africa

Spouse:
Elizabeth Mortimer Poultney

Gilbert William Summers (Gib)

Born:
6 September 1919

Place:
Zeerust, SA

Married:
9 August 1947

Place:
Orangegrove (Anglican Church), Johannesburg

Died:
28th August 1991

Place:
Zeerust, SA

Spouse:
Agnes Hensley Ross (Nancy)

Edwin John Summers (Jack)

Born:
14 July 1922

Place:
Zeerust, SA

Died:
1st May 1942 (Age 19)

Place:
During the WW2, off Iceland - see below

Robert West Summers

Born:
1924

Place:
Zeerust, SA

Died:
1924 Age 9 months


Picture of Charl & Connie courting - right click for larger image

Connie and Charl Con and Charl - courting

Charl was increasingly involved in local affairs, the Town Council, the Farmers Co-operative, the Free Masons, the Church, etc. He would do anything to assist in any way, to improve the town and district to stimulate growth. He alway opposed applying for drought relief prefering to encourage soil conservation methods, always unpopular as farmers tried to wrest the maximum returns.

He was an active supporter and generous contributor to all charities. Many came to him for advice and help. After the war, at his own expense, and in celebration, he feasted the black community of the town on his farm, Kruisriver.

During the war Charl decided to sell Kruisriver farm and retire. His butcher shop he had handed over to his apprentice, Koos du Preez. Dick was interested in the beef herd and had just bought his own farm Sandpoortjie.

At the monthly auction, at the Magistrates Court, the first farm that was put up for sale was Kalkfontien. It adjoined Kruisriver, but as it was so run down and negleted, there was no interest. Charl bought it cheap and decided not to sell Kruisriver. He hoped that Gib who was in Italy might come farming one day.

Note on Edwin John (Jack) Summers:

The Sinking of HMS Punjabi

Killed when battleship HMS King George V crashed into PUNJABI'S port side just abaft the engine room and went through her "like a butter knife at 25 knots". PUNJABI'S stern sank almost immediately.

In Memory Of SUMMERS, EDWIN JOHN

Son of Charles William and Constance Summers, of Zeerust, Transvaal, South Africa. Born Zeerust, 14th July 1922. Ed, Zeerust Primary School. Ex-Cadet of the South African Training Ship General Botha. Cadet Draft 1937-9. On leaving Genearl Botha, Edwin John Summers joined the RNR as Midshipman and was posted to HMS Norfolk and later transferred to HMS Punjabi

More on HMS Punjabi HMS Punjabi (F 21) - Destroyer of the Tribal class

Updated periodically as new information becomes available
If you do have information or would like to have yours added, use contact above.

Dated September 2020
Peter Summers