Documents

Donat McMahon 1856 - 1881		Letters of appointment in Donat's military career - as Ensign, Lieutenant, then Captain of a Troop in the Military Train
Sketch Book 1 Daisy McMahon 1890		Daisy's drawing book from her time at school in Bedford, aged 15. An intriguing collection of well executed drawings of architectural details, presumably from her local church.
Sketch Book 2 Daisy McMahon 1891		Similar drawings from the following year. Marked "Form IIIb". Daisy aged 16.
Home Sums Daisy I McLean McMahon 1891		Daisy's arithmetic book from her time at school in Bedford, aged 16. Some curt comments from her teacher Miss Poole.
Right of Burial 11th Sep 1894 Patrick Joseph McMahon		Right of burial of Patrick Joseph McLean McMahon, & his heirs, granted by Bedford Burial Board. Possibly relating to the same grave as his parents. However, this right was not exercised on his death.
Gravestone 1895 Bella McLean & Donat McLean		Receipt for marble tomb with inscription to the memory of Donat & Bella McMahon This grave is still in place in Bedford cemetary.
Our Jaunt on the River 1899 (year guessed)		A flirtatious poem sent to Daisy by Capt Grunan, Indian Army, relating to their canoe trip on the River Ouse in Bedford annotated with a poetic riposte in the same vein (probably not sent) on behalf of herself & Pearl. This is the first instance in the archive of use of a typewriter.
Proclamation 16th June 1900 Document retained by Robert		Proclamation issued from Army HQ in Pretoria by Field Marshal Frederick Roberts (Roberts of Kandahar), Commander in Chief, South Africa, stating measures to be taken against villagers in the event of destruction of or damage to public property. Proclamation repeated beneath in Afrikaans.
Isabella & Frank's marriage certificate 1902		The wedding took place on 2nd January 1902 at Christ Church, Rajkot, Gujarat - not far from Gondal. The church is still in use today.
Daisy's dance cards From 1902		These date from Daisy's first arrival in Simla. They were all tied in a bundle. A fascinating collection.
Annandale Gymkhana programme 1903 16th May 1903		Programme for the gymkhana at Annandale, Simla. Annadale was the sportsground and place of entertainment for the British in Simla. It was the venue for sporting events such as cricket matches and polo tournaments as well as the more frivalous gymkhanas. Mrs Couchman and Miss Wickham are listed among the participants
Annandale Gymkhana programme 1903 13th June 1903		Frank participatimg on this occasion.
Invite to Mr & Mrs Couchman & Pearl 28th June 1903		Invitation: Lady Rivaz at home, dancing 9.45pm Emilie Rivaz, nee Agnew, daughter of Sir Charles Montgomery Rivaz, Lieut-Govenor of the Punjab from 1903
Bank of Rangoon Grant of Power 13th Feb 1913		Bank of Rangoon Grant of Power over shares, promisory notes, etc.
Doris' school report Spring 1914		From Cheltenham Ladies' College. Doris aged 9.
Opening of Southern Shan States Railway March 1915		This was clearly a significant milestone in Frank's work for Burma Railways.
The tale of Molo & Jitters Circa 1918		Pages 15 to 31 of a larger set of hand-written notes, un-titled, un-dated and un-signed, but the handwriting is Daisy's. It refers to "My daughter" (presumably Doris) which suggests this was written up retrospectively. Though incomplete, this is an amusing description of events in Marseilles and subsequently on board ship en route to England.
Notes taken in Mesopamia Francis Couchman 1919		This document looks to be a precurser to the formal report which was the purpose of the assignment in Iraq. Its pages show signs of insect damage and one or possibly more pages are missing from the end. It none-the-less provides a fascinating insight into Frank’s work and the situation in Iraq immediately after World War 1.
Frank's Knighthood George the fifth 23rd June 1920		Grant of the dignity of a Knight Commander of the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire to Francis Dundas Couchman Esq
Lock of Verity's hair April 1924		Verity would be aged 13.
Verity's First Aid certificates 1927 & 1935		Certificates issued to Verity by British Red Cross Society (India) for efficiency in First Aid and in First Aid In Chemical Warfare
Verity's school report September 1928		Nilgala school, Bideford - Summer term, 3rd division
Sketch book 1 Patrick McMahon Circa 1918		This sketch book of Patrick's is undated but will be circa 1918. The backs of some loose pages identify his address as 25 Grafton Street, Bedford.
Sketch book 2 Patrick McMahon Circa 1921		Shetch book with mostly loose pages. One sketch is dated 1921
Calendars Patrick McMahon 1930-1934		Patrick made a little money by selling calendars of his better pen & ink sketches.
Daisy's fishing permit July 1934		Issued by the Estate Office, Coll, Argyllshire
Poems by I.M.C. Lady Couchman 1942		Small self-published booklet.
Isabella's SA driving licence 24-09-1947		The last photo available of Isabella