Bill ‘Bunny’ Choules – grave tales

William Osmand ‘Bunny’ CHOULES was born on the 8 December 1848 in East Grafton, Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire England. He came to Australia alone aged only 17 years on the ship the ‘Salamanca’ in October 1865, arriving in Port Adelaide South Australia in Jan 1866. He stated his occupation as a Labourer. Also travelling on the […]

Augustus Thorn – pioneer profile

AUGUSTUS LOFTUS ‘GUS’ THORN by Lyn Beard The death of Augustus Loftus ‘Gus’ THORN does not appear to have been registered and the burial did not show up on any of the usual resources for graves. The only record of his death in 1932 seems to be this small article in The Goldfields Observer of […]

No ‘Gods Acre’ for Burbanks –

The town of Burbanks was gazetted in 1894, named after W. Burbank who with his mate Sheldon found the first gold there. Possibly due to its close proximity to Coolgardie, it was considered that no cemetery would be gazetted for the town. In consequence, most of those who died at Burbanks were buried in the […]

Sadie and Arthur – a wander down the vale of tears

Kalgoorlie Western Argus 4 November 1897, page 12 A marriage took place at Burgess’ Hotel on Tuesday last, when Miss Sadie Richards agreed to wander down this vale of tears with Mr Arthur Dunlop, manager of the Bank of Australasia at Broad Arrow. Mr “Andy” Brophy gave the bride away, while the duties of best […]

Hasty’s Grave – raised to glory

Hasty’s Grave This grateful country cherishes the fine courageous band Who pioneered the wilderness, and founded our great land And so it is appropriate that the name of one so brave Be printed on our outback maps, marked simply ‘Hasty’s Grave’ And for those who wished to go there, and find the grave, perhaps Longitude […]