John Thomas – grave tales

Left: John THOMAS was a clarinet player in the Salvation Army Federal Band WA in 1897. Right: Edmond HAM. They operated a small claim together at Goongarrie. John Thomas married Isabella Mary YEARING on the 3rd Aug 1898 at age 32, in Coolgardie at the Salvation Army Barracks. He was the son of William THOMAS (Miner) and Mary DAVIS. Isabella was born in Beremboke Victoria and was aged 28yrs, she was the daughter of Joseph YEARING (Farmer) and Janet HART.

The couple had three children, William Joseph born 1899 in Coolgardie, Isabel Mary born 1902 in Kalgoorlie and John Wesley born 1904 in Brown Hill.

John was born at Greenock, Victoria, and at an early age removed with his parents to Moonta Mines, S.A., where be resided for a number of years. Next he went to Broken Hill, and 21 years ago came to the Eastern Goldfields, 18 years of which he has resided at Brown Hill. Most of the time he has worked in mines under the control of Bewick, Moreing and Co., having been 7½ years shift boss under the late Mr. George Miller. About five years ago he met with a severe accident in the Eclipse G.M. which laid him up for ten months.

Kalgoorlie Miner Wednesday 30 August 1916, page 4

Since that time he had followed the occupation of timberman in the mine, where on Monday, August 28, he was killed by a fall of rock. The deceased had been a prominent member of the Methodist Church at Brown Hill, and Sunday School superintendent for a number of years. For 31 years he was connected with the I.O. Rechabites of Moonta Mines. He died 28 Aug 1916 and is buried in the Kalgoorlie Cemetery. Isabella never re married and died in Perth WA in 1946.

His name is engraved on the Eastern Goldfields Miners Memorial at the WA Museum Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie. This is a link to his profile page on the WAVMM web site:  John Thomas

Panel from the Eastern Goldfields Miners Memorial in Kalgoorlie.

Kalgoorlie Miner, Tue 5 Sep 1916 Page 4

Kalgoorlie Miner, Tue 29 Aug 1916 Page 4

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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