Captain Kettle at the Toorak Hotel –

The death of William George JOUNING (better known to Old Campers as Captain Kettle), which occurred in Kalgoorlie a day or two ago, removes another member of the Pioneer. Brigade. the ranks of which are rapidly thinning. The deceased did his share of battling in the early days, and chased the elusive weight with varying success until the opening of the Coolgardie, Exhibition, when he became a member of the working staff under Manager Jules Joubert.

Afterwards he was a watchman under the old Salvage Corps started by Charlie Summers and one or two other business men, and then was the host of the Toorak Hotel, before Toorak became well nigh deserted. Captain Kettle was better known by reason of his peculiarly eccentric manner, which withal accompanied a warm heart and a kindly disposition. Before coming to Australia ho rendered good service as a member of the City of London Fire Brigade, and he was very proud of the special service medal which he brought away from that body.

Jouning Family Grave, Kalgoorlie Cemetery – Photo Danelle Warnock

William George JOUNING was born in Kent England in 1857. He married Mary Louisa SMITH in Victoria in 1894. Their first child Louisa Elizabeth was born in Victoria in 1895. The family then travelled to Western Australia where their next child, Jack Wilfred Brett was born in 1900, this was followed by, William George Brett, born in Kalgoorlie in 1906. Their last child, Winifred Edna was born in April 1910 in Kalgoorlie, sadly she only lived 10 weeks. William himself was to die only shortly before Winifred in January of 1910 and they are buried together in the Kalgoorlie Cemetery.

Mary Louisa JOUNING – Photo Ancestry.com