John Henry ABUD (more)
Cause of Death: Enteric Fever, Tomaemia
Albert Abud was born 31 May 1870 in Richmond, Victoria. His wife was born in 1881. They married in Kanowna in 1901 and over the next 14 years, they grew their family of 6 children. They were: Clara born Bulong 1903; Alexander Victor born Bulong 1905; Gertrude Eva born 1906; John Henry born Leonora 1910; Annie Miriam E born Leonora 1912; Frances Evelyn born Leonora 1914. The deceased child was known to the family as "Jacky".
Daniel Patrick ADAMINI (more)
Cause of Death: Broncho Pneumonia
After a post-mortem, the Coroner's verdict of the cause of death was broncho-pneumonia.
The little boy was buried in plot number 284 of the Roman Catholic portion of the Leonora Cemetery.
Daniel's parents were married in Moora in 1937 (Marriage Registration 4200008/1937, Moora). Other children born to this marriage were Peter Joseph born 10 May 1939 in Kalgoorlie; daughter, Kath; a second daughter - no details available.
Lorenzo was born in Italy in 1906 and died 7 February 1971 in Kalgoorlie (Death Registration 1800033/1971, East Coolgardie). His wife was born 12 July 1920 and died in Kalgoorlie 11 April 1973 (Death Registration 1800055/1973, East Coolgardie).
Pierina ALBERTANI (more)
Cause of Death: Influenza, Broncho Pneumonia
Mrs Albertani left an estate valued at £891 4s. 11d to her husband, Gotardo. She is buried in the Roman Catholic portion of the Leonora Cemetery, plot number 138.
In May 1919, an Italian miner called Luigi Morelli, contracted broncho pneumonia influenza and died within six days. Eight more cases were diagnosed in rapid succession. The Public Health Board placed Gwalia and Leonora under quarantine. The town was isolated from its nearest town, Malcolm, and all occupants, including visitors, were confined, with passenger traffic by road and rail blocked. A fine was instituted from £5 – £30 for people going beyond the 3 mile limit. Mrs Albertani was one of those who died in this epidemic.
Marinoni ANGELO (more)
Cause of Death: Lobar Pneumonia
Richard William ANSLEY (more)
Cause of Death: Diabetic - Myocardia
Mr Richard Ansley was described as one of the most highly respected and lovable personalities in the Leonora district. Though he had been ill for some considerable time, the end came rather suddenly, and though it afforded him a happy release, his many friends received the news with feelings of deep sorrow.
The deceased had been living in Leonora since 1901, engaged for some some time with the storekeeping firm of Clark and Smith. He afterwards had business interests in the town, and later successfully carried out the duties as secretary to the Leonora District Hospital, which position he held with very great credit until about a year before his death, when he relinquished that office. During his 37 years in Leonora, he was a successful businessman and accountant and carried out his duties in a Christian manner, as befitting a devout Catholic.
Deeply attached to his church, he was a regular attendant at the Sacred Heart Church, Leonora, even when he became enfeebled in body, though his mind remained active. Loving sympathy was passed to his widow. A grown-up son, William, was resident in the Eastern States at the time of his father's death.
Richard was the youngest of six children born to John and Mary Ann Ansley in Kyneton, Victoria, where John Ansley taught at Catholic School in Footscray Victoria, then went to Taradale in 1858 staying some years. He was then teaching at Kyneton & Lauriston, a teacher in the state System for about 12 years. He later became a grocery and provision merchant in Piper Street, Kyneton. The couple married in 1866 in Victoria. Their children were: Jane, born and died in 1867; William Ambrose born 1868; John Augustine born 1870; Ann Bridget born 1872; Charles Frederick born 1875 and finally, Richard William in 1877. All were born in Kyneton. Mary Ann died on 24 April 1884 at Kyneton and her husband died there on 30 July 1901.
Richard's brother, Charles Frederick, died in Leederville, Western Australia, on 10 October just three months after the death of Richard.
Daniele ARRIGONI (more)
Cause of Death: Fall of Rock
The deceased died from the shock from a fall of rock at the 25th level of the Sons of Gwalia Gold Mine.
At the inquest held at Leonora following the death of Daniele Arrigoni, Dr. H. E. Clarke stated that Arrigoni was conveyed to the Leonora Hospital at about 8pm on 4th January, suffering severely from shock and internal injuries and he died at about 3 o'clock the following morning. A post-mortem examination that day revealed that several ribs were broken and driven into the lung which had collapsed and was full of blood. The doctor concluded that Arrigoni died from shock and injuries to the lung and kidneys and loss of blood.
Harry Greyman, relieving shift boss on the Gwalia Mine, gave evidence and said that Arrigoni started work in the stope about 4.30 that day. It sometimes took ten minutes to bar down ground, and sometimes two hours. Arrigoni had started boring. In the witness' opinion, he did not take sufficient trouble in barring down, and he thought that was the reason of the stone falling; the vibration of the machine would also help.
Further witnesses were called and evidence produced until eventually, the jury presented their verdict: That Daniele Arrigoni came to his death about 3 am on 5th January, 1932, at the Leonora District Hospital, from shock, following injuries received in No. 1000 stope on No. 25 level in the Sons of Gwalia Mine, through a fall of rock, and that no blame is attachable to anyone; the jury is of opinion that the shift boss should devote the whole of his time to the inspection of slopes, and not to the filling of trucks."
Guglielmo BALDUZZI (more)
Cause of Death: Shock caused by injuries received from a fall of earth
An inquest into the death of Guglielmo Balduzzi, who was killed by a fall of ground in an open cut on the Sons of Gwalia mine on September 8, was opened on the day following his death. After evidence of identification had been given and the jury had viewed the scene, the inquiry was adjourned.
The adjourned inquest was held in the Leonora Courthouse on Thursday 22 September 1932. Mr. R. B. Millar, J.P., acted as Coroner, and was assisted by Constable Perks, of Gwalia. The jury comprised Messrs. McAppion, foreman, Travis, and M. Clarke. There were also present, Inspector Winzar, representing the Mines Department; Mr. H. V. Rowe (Sons of Gwalia, Ltd.) and Mr. J. E. Bishop (A.W.U.).
Constable Perks gave evidence of being called by telephone to the mine on September 8. He was informed that a man had been killed in the open cut and had been taken to the hospital. He proceeded to the morgue, where he saw a dead body which he was told was Guglielmo Balduzzi.
Dr. H. E. Clarke tendered evidence of being summoned to the mine on September 8. On arrival, he was shown a man on a stretcher opposite the open cut. He found him to be already dead and ordered his removal to the morgue. The doctor later performed a post-mortem examination and found the cause of death to be shock from abrasions to the chest and severe bruising of the body and injuries to the right leg and right forearm.
Evidence was submitted that Balduzzi was boring with a telescope machine, while Giovanni Guizzardi was shovelling some distance below in the open cut. He heard Balduzzi call out "look out," and saw the ground falling. Some of the ground fell on Guizzardi and knocked him down the pass. He called to Balduzzi, and got no reply, nor could he see him. He then went and got assistance.
Balduzzi had apparently been working three years in the open cut, and had worked a machine for the last 18 months. It was a telescope machine.
The inquest heard how Balduzzi had taken out a cut and was protected by the rock overhead. About three tons of rock fell northwards, 15 ft. or 20 ft. from the machine. Had Balduzzi remained where he was boring, he would have been safe. He was about 20 ft. from the machine when he was found.
After further evidence, the court was adjourned for a quarter of an hour while the jury conferred and, on resuming, the Coroner announced the verdict as follows: "We find that Guglielmo Balduzzi came to his death on September 8, on the Sons of Gwalia mine, through shock caused by injuries received from a fall of earth. We find that no blame is attachable to anyone."
Guglielmo Balduzzi had worked in the mine for some years, the last three of which were in the open cut. He is buried in Plot number 211 of the Roman Catholic portion of the Leonora Cemetery.
Peter BARTAI (more)
Cause of Death: Fall of Earth
Surname has been reported as Berlia, Barlai, Berlai, Bartai. The deceased was engaged in shovelling at the No. 7 level of the Sons of Gwalia Gold mine, when a flake of diorite weighing some hundredweights slipped from the wall. The unfortunate young man received the full force of the fall and was killed instantly. The young man left an estate valued at £6 10s to James Henry Marks, attorney under power of Alberto Berlai
Francesco BENDOTTI (more)
Cause of Death: Aortitis
Francesco Bendotti, who arrived in Western Australia in 1928, applied for Australian Citizenship in August of 1935. It is not known whether or not his application was successful but on 11 June 1940, Francesco was 'captured' at Gwalia and on 7 September 1940, was 'Marched in' at Rottnest Island as an internee. The reason for his internment was given as him being an 'enemy alien' - which fate befell many Italians during the war.
He left Rottnest on 5 October 1940 and just four months later, on 15 February 1941, was 'Released on Parole'.
He had cousins in the Leonora district.
Francesco Bendotti was buried in Plot number 275 of the Roman Catholic portion of the Leonora Cemetery.
Pietro BENDOTTI (more)
Cause of Death: Asphyxiated by accumulated Carbon Monoxide fumes from the previous night's firing.
Known as Peter.
Peter Bendotti died of asphyxiation from carbon monoxide gases which had accumulated in the shaft from the previous night's firing. His mate and fellow countryman, Andrea Fasanini, died trying to rescue him.
The accident happened when Pietro Bendotti and Fasanini, two machine miners, descended a winze to begin the morning shift. Bendotti was overcome by fumes which had collected in the shaft and Fasanini hastened to secure assistance. With Nicoletti and Ernest Camp he returned to the winze and the three of them tried to drag Bendotti 120 feet up the steep incline to safety. When Fasanini showed signs of being affected by the gases, Camp went for help. Nicoletti, supporting both men, tried to drag their combined weight up by a rope, but he too became affected by the gases and was forced to let them go. Nicoletti lost consciousness just as he saw assistance coming. Nicoletti recovered from the effects of the poisonous fumes, but both Bendotti and Fasanini were dead when brought to the surface. At the inquest held in Leonora on Friday 13 July, the Jury added the following to its verdict of accidental death:
"From the evidence given we ask that the names of Nicoletti, Camp and Fasanini be forwarded to the proper authorities, recognition of their bravery in a most trying and critical moment, and also that the court's deep appreciation of the conduct of all others concerned in the rescue be recorded."
West Australian Dec 1935, page 19: MINERS' BRAVERY - Recognition by King of Italy. It was announced yesterday by the Vice-Consul for Italy (Signor N. Costantino) that the King of Italy bad awarded the silver medal for bravery to Mr.Giovanni Nicoletti, of Gwalia, and posthumously to the late Mr. Andrea Fasanini, in recognition of their heroism in attempting to rescue a countryman who had been overcome by fumes in a winze at the Sons of Gwalia mine, Gwalia, on June 26. 1934.
John Joseph BENNETT (more)
Cause of Death: Burns Causing Epileptic Fit
The child's mother, Bridget O'Connor, was born 3 January 1876 in Dooncaha, Tarbert, Kerry, Ireland. She arrived in Australia in 1900 on the "Orizaba" and married Alfred Augustine Bennett on 9 August 1909 at Kalgoorlie. He was born 1880 in Matlock, Victoria.
It appears that little Thomas Rudy was the youngest of their family. He died in 1920 aged 6 months, and is buried in Leonora. His story is featured in this website.
John Joseph, was the fourth child born into this family.
Siblings of these two boys were Constance Frances born 5 June 1910 at Leonora (Birth Registration 81/1910, Mt Margaret) and Mary Teresa (Birth Registration 79/1910, Mt Margaret); Henry James born 1912 at Leonora (Birth Registration 43/1912, Mt Margaret); Alfred Augustine born 16 August 1915 at Leonora (Birth Registration 1915, Mt Margaret).
The children's father was born 1880 in Matlock, Victoria. He died 21 September 1945 in Southern Cross. Bridget went on until the age of 95 years, when she died at Merredin on 4 April 1971.
John Joseph is buried in plot number 113 of the Roman Catholic portion of the Leonora Cemetery. His brother, Thomas, is buried in Plot number 148 of that portion of the cemetery.
Mary Ann (MCKENNA) BENNETT (more)
Cause of Death: Carcinoma of the Duodenum, secondary growth in the Left Lung
The deceased lady was possessed of a very striking and pleasing personality which attracted favourable attention wherever she went. For some seven years, however, a serious malady had afflicted her, but it was borne with wonderful fortitude. A loving husband, Mr. William Bennett, of Gwalia, a daughter, Hilda, Mrs. H. Hillaird, of Kalgoorlie, and a son, Arthur James, of Gwalia, were left to mourn their loss.
The deceased is buried in Plot number 249 of the Roman Catholic portion of the Leonora Cemetery.
Thomas Rudy BENNETT (more)
Cause of Death: Hydrocephalus, Gastro
The child's mother, Bridget O'Connor, was born 3 January 1876 in Dooncaha, Tarbert, Kerry, Ireland. She arrived in Australia in 1900 on the "Orizaba" and married Alfred Augustine Bennett on 9 August 1909 at Kalgoorlie. He was born 1880 in Matlock, Victoria. It appears that little Thomas Rudy was the youngest of their family. His siblings were twins Constance Frances born 5 June 1910 at Leonora (Birth Registration 81/1910, Mt Margaret) and Mary Teresa (Birth Registration 79/1910, Mt Margaret); Henry James born 1912 at Leonora (Birth Registration 43/1912, Mt Margaret); John Joseph born 1914 at Leonora (Birth Registration 22/1914, Mt Margaret), died 1916 in the Leonora District Hospital (Death Registration 4300026/1916, Mt Margaret); Alfred Augustine born 16 August 1915 at Leonora (Birth Registration 1915, Mt Margaret).
The children's father was born 1880 in Matlock, Victoria. He died 21 September 1945 in Southern Cross. Bridget went on until the age of 95 years, when she died at Merredin on 4 April 1971.
John Joseph is buried in plot number 113 of the Roman Catholic portion of the Leonora Cemetery. His brother, Thomas, is buried in Plot number 148 of that portion of the cemetery.
Abondio BETTI (more)
Cause of Death: Fell Down a Mine Shaft
Betti was working with his two partners, Jack Anderson and Alessio Betti, on a prospecting show, known as the Nine Mile Peg, in the Linden district, 60 miles from Leonora. His partners were working at the bottom of the shaft, which was 103 ft deep. Betti was on the surface hauling ore by a windlass.
For some reason, which has not been ascertained, he apparently slipped and fell to the bottom of the shaft.
Betti was taken to the Leonora Hospital and an operation was performed but he died at 7 am the next day.
Police and Mines Inspector, Mr Foxall, drove out to Linden to view the scene that afternoon, returning to Leonora at midnight. An inquest was opened before the deputy coroner, Mr. G. T. Moffiit, J.P., in the Leonora Courthouse on 20 November before Messrs G. T. Moffit, deputy coroner, M. McAppion, R. Gibb, and E. Bradshaw, jurors, Inspector Foxall, Mines Department, K. McLean, A.W.U., and Constable Jacobs, who assisted the coroner, in taking evidence.
Dr. J. Piccles gave evidence that he had received a telephone call from Murrin and proceeded there and saw the deceased, who was unconscious. The doctor conveyed the injured man to the Leonora Hospital, where he died at 7.10 o'clock the next morning, November 19.
The doctor put in a report of the post mortem examination which he had conducted, stating that the cause of death was a fractured spine and a fractured skull.
Alessio Betti, a prospecting mate of the deceased (but not related) gave evidence of identification and described the circumstances following the accident. He had known Abondio Betti about six years and had no knowledge of his having been subject to fits or giddiness.
John Henderson, another mate, told the court that on November 18, when he and Alessio Betti were working in short drives north and south of the shaft, he heard a fall and found the deceased lying across an ore bucket (which was smashed) at the bottom of the shaft, in an unconscious state. Henderson and Alessio Betti removed
the injured man to the drive, ascended the shaft and procured a mattress, returned to the drive, strapped the deceased to it and hauled him to the surface.
Henderson had heard Betti on one or two occasions complain of dizziness. He believed that the deceased had a sister named Margaret Delavanza, living at Maddington.
After a short retirement, the jury brought in the following verdict: "That Abondio Betti died at the Leonora Hospital at 7.10 am on November 19, 1936, as a result of injuries received through falling down a shaft on November 18, on a prospecting area known as the Nine-Mile Peg, about nine miles from Linden. There is no evidence to show how the fall was caused."
Antonio BETTINI (more)
Cause of Death: Pulmonary Tuberculosis
The deceased had suffered most from the miner's phthisis during the final three weeks of his life.
Antonio's brother, Celeste Stefano, known as Charlie, attended Antonio's funeral, laying a wreath on his brother's grave. Celeste died in Nedlands in 1984, aged 74 years.
