Leslie Frederick Carter – grave tales

This week with ‘grave tales’ we are doing it the other way around. With someone being born in the Goldfields but dying elsewhere.

On the 21st of February 1899, this finely dressed young man was born in Paddington Western Australia. Paddington was in the Broad Arrow Goldfield 27kms north of Kalgoorlie along the main road to Menzies. At Paddington or the ‘Sore Foot’ area – the first big rush was in Sept 1892. Apparently at the end of the first day of the “rush”, tired limping diggers named it the “Sore Foot Rush” but it was later changed to Paddington.

A Native of Paddington

A Native of Paddington – Master Leslie Frederick CARTER – Kalgoorlie Western Argus 22 December 1903, page 25

Leslie was the eldest son, and first child, of Frederick Thomas Carter (Carpenter) and Louisa nee Rice. Leslie was followed by siblings, John Sutton Carter, born in 1902, and then Frederick Thomas Carter born in 1907. All three boys were born in Paddington. The photograph below taken of Paddingtons main street in 1908, some 7 years after Leslie’s birth, doesn’t quite fit in with his form of dress don’t you think?

Paddington Western Australia 1908 - Photo SLWA

Paddington Western Australia 1908 – Photo SLWA

When he was born his father was 29yrs old and was from Mt Gambier South Australia and his mother was also 29yrs from Mt Ellen South Australia. They had married in Kalgoorlie in December of 1897. Frederick Carter was a staunch unionist and a champion of the miners in Paddington who were being underpaid.

West Australian  21 June 1935, page 14


FUNERAL – The Late Mr. F. T. Carter.

The funeral of the late Mr. Frederick Thomas Carter, of Hill Top, Tammin, whose death occurred at the St John of God Hospital, Subiaco last Tuesday, took place in Tammin on Wednesday afternoon. The late Mr. Carter was born in South Australia and went to the West Australian goldfields over 40 years ago. He was one of the early Coolgardie pioneers and later became interested in “Carter’s Venture” at Paddington. Twenty-seven years ago he settled in Tammin with his wife and family and from the commencement took a deep interest in the development of the district. He was deservedly popular with all classes and his funeral was one of the largest seen in a country town for many years.

Leslie went on to marry Isobel Palmer nee MAIN in Perth WA in 1920. He died 25th Nov 1966 aged 67yrs. He is buried in the Tammin Cemetery Western Australia with his parents, wife, and brother John.

Tammin Cemetery - Photo Find a Grave

Tammin Cemetery – Photo Find a Grave

He was the son of Frederick Thomas Carter and Louisa nee Rice. He married Isobel Palmer MAIN in Perth WA in 1920. He died 25th Nov 1966 aged 67yrs. Thanks to John Pritchard for finding the photograph.

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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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