The Death of Clifton Gates Kakoy.

Despite the martial atmosphere life on Tamba- Tamba followed a relatively normal pattern and the hostilities remained a very distant affair.
In April 1915 the islanders prepared for the Hargie Cull, which had taken place annually since at least 1800.
Every man, woman, girl and boy big and healthy enough to bear a weapon participated in the event.
Clifton Gates Kakoy and his party had a lodge near Cox's Plantation, and after breakfasting with their guest, Snr.  Juan Angel McDonald, an engineer from Buenos Ares, the Kakoy party set out to bag their first lot of bandicoots.

At approximately 11:00 the party divided into two in order to flush some quarry out of a thicket.
A rifle discharged and The Kakoy fell. He had been shot through the left cheek and died instantly. Dr Bramwell Livermore was at the scene, but could see that there was nothing to be done.
The identity of the person who's gun caused the fatality was never revealed.

Sons of Dreadful Hargie Hunting Club.

Members of the Kakoy's party on the fateful day, left to right: Snr. Juan Angel McDonald of Buenos Ares, Sir Hugo Gates, Harry Roy.

The Kakoy had been well liked and the island plunged into mourning. Every person on the island attended the funeral, as well as a group from Wessels Island.

Clifton Gates Kakoy lies in state at The Big House.

Clifton Gates begins his final journey- left to right: Lady Cecilia Gates, Letitia Sleight, Dickon Berry (he built the coffin),  Sir Hugo Gates, Harry Roy  Kakoy,  Dr Bramwell Livermore, Lawrence Stock,  Harold Makepeace (a member of the Kakoy household).

The Old Cemetery-used from 1777- 1965- note the solitary Christian gravemarker, that of The Unknown Sailor.

 

 

The Kakoy Mausoleum photographed in the 1970's. It was demolished after the Revolution.