Westralian Worker Perth – 26 Jun 1931 – Fremantle News and Views
OBITUARY – GOLDFIELDS PIONEER PASSES
Buried on Saturday afternoon, June 6, in the Fremantle Cemetery, Mr. Edward Currie, of Hickory Street, South Fremantle. The deceased was a well-known Goldfields identity, who participated in the hectic days of the roaring nineties on the WA Goldfields.
Edward Currie (back left) and brother William John Currie (front left) others unknown but may be James Currie – Photo Currie Family.
Edward Currie was the son of Thomas Currie (Carter), and Johanna Gleeson. He left Bendigo, Victoria, in 1892 with his two older brothers, William and James (John), for Coolgardie. He was married in Coolgardie on 15 Apr 1895 at St Andrews Mission Church, to Mary Blake, whose father was well-known storekeeper, George Blake, of Market Street, Bendigo. This was only the second wedding to be celebrated in Coolgardie, the officiating clergyman being the Rev. Canon Collick, now rector of St. Peter’s Church of England, Fremantle. One can imagine the interest taken in this event by the diggers on what was then a very prosperous goldfield, where phenomenal riches were drawing the attention of the whole of the civilised world. Incidentally, Edwards older brother, William John Currie, was to marry Mary Blake’s younger sister Edith. They married the following year on the 1st Oct 1896 also at St Andrews Mission Church Coolgardie. Edward and Mary were the witnesses to the mariage.
Mr Currie secured the wood contract for Bayley’s mine. In those days water was very scarce and dear. He secured a condensing plant and condensed water which was sold at two shillings and sixpence a gallon. One can imagine how precious this water was when it is recorded that Mrs Currie’s allowance for her household per day was one kerosene tin of water. The Currie brothers also held successful mining leases, the Roseberry ML and the Kings Cross ML.
When Bayley’s mine closed down Edward and Mary Currie left Coolgardie and went to Davyhurst to open business there, and held a wine and spirit license. Later in 1902, they moved to Speakman’s Find, where Edward took over as licensee of the Callion Hotel. At a later period Mr. Currie reached Kalgoorlie and engaged in mining pursuits. Years later, like many old goldfields pioneers, he came south and was for some time in Albany, working on the waterfront. He later came to Fremantle and was well known on the waterfront and in the ranks of the Lumpers’ Union.
The deceased leaves a widow and five children—three boys and two girls. Our deceased comrade was a sturdy Laborite, intimately associated with the stirring events of the early gold fields in the history of the W.A. Labor Movement. This is one of the men who fought for Labor ideals. Few realise nowadays the big debt the present generation owe to the old brigade who, through solidarity, suffering and self-sacrifice raised the workers’ conditions from serfdom, sweating and in human conditions to the present standard. Australia owes much to the miners of the early days.
Mary Currie with son in law Arthur B Daniel, Mary’s daughter Ethel Daniels nee Currie and their oldest son Ronald – Perth 1923 – Photo Ancestry.com
Children of Edward and Mary Currie.
Edward Claude Currie born Coolgardie WA 1897 died Coolgardie 1897 buried Coolgardie Cemetery
Ethel Doris Currie born Victoria 1897
Thomas George Currie born 1900 born Coolgardie WA
James Edward Currie born 1902 born Coolgardie WA
Neil Robert Currie born 1907 Kalgoorlie WA
Florence May Currie born 1917 born Fremantle WA
Only Child of William and Edith Currie
William Currie born 1898 Coolgardie WA – Sadly William died in Kalgoorlie aged only 16yrs less than a year after the death of his father also in Kalgoorlie in 1913 from Miners Phthisis.
Kalgoorlie Miner 21 April 1914, page 4
Moya Sharp
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