From her marriage, a son who died, and a daughter who was seriously ill but survived. Nonetheless, she bore him two children, and they returned as a family to his new posting in the colonies. There, in the exotic surroundings of Indonesia, their marital problems multiplied.
The marriage deteriorated into sharp quarrels, too much drinking, rows about money and accusations of infidelity. But what destroyed the union was tragedy. Their son, Norman, was struck by serious illness and died at the age of two. His sister, one-year-old Nonnie, nearly died, too, but pulled through.
Margaretha's two legitimate children seem to have died without issue (Norman John MacLeod [died age 3] being more definite than Jeanne Louise "Non" MacLeod [died age 21]) however what of the alleged illegitimate daughter "Banda Gertrude"?