Spooky stuff, Hughie

Hugh Robertson Corpe Book Launch

Ghostly forces combine for 141st birthday bash

 

The timing of Saturday’s launch at The Press of Hugh Robertson Corpe: Letters From the Boer War, had a little help from “the other side”.

Former Northern Daily Leader journalist, now grey nomad, roving author and biographer Anna Rose believes two ghosts conspired to “rig” the launch date.
“I think the bloke who haunted the old Leader building and Hughie, the chap who wrote these 119-year-old letters, had a hand in it,” she said.

 

Basement book launch comes together in 1-2-3

 

“Between them they pointed me and Sally Fielding towards Saturday, August 3rd which is Hugh’s 141st birthday!

“Up until days before the launch, I had no idea of his birth date, let alone his date of death, which is another freakish coincidence … not.
“This was August 1 when everything became apparent, weeks after the launch function had been booked.
“I’ve always believed in fate, but this seals the deal. Hugh, who wrote the majority of letters within this precious booklet, died of cancer on August 2, 1938, just one day short of his 60th birthday.”

 

Tamworth connection to South Australian trooper

 

Hugh’s Tamworth connection comes via a former city songbird, Clelia Adams.
Some years ago she flew the coop after 25 years in Tamworth, making a new life for herself on the NSW Northern Rivers.
There “the Gypsy” met her “Captain” – Rowly Taylor, a longtime Mullumbimby resident. South Australian-born Rowly is Hugh Robertson Corpe’s grandson.

Find out more about this intriguing story from 4pm on Saturday at The Press.

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of the book then click here.