Cause of Death:
Mary Bowler and John Cocks were married about 1902 in Perth. Their other known children were Amelia Tomasina born 1907 and Winifred Laura born 1913.
Louis COLLINS (more)
Cause of Death: Suicide by self-inflicted wounds to the throat
The adjourned inquest was continued at Leonora on 23 June into the death of Louis Collins, who attempted to dynamite his brother-in-law's bedroom at Leonora on Sunday, June 11, and after the explosion was found dying in a lane nearby with a gash in his throat.
Richard Carrington Bond, Collins's brother-in-law, said that Collins slept in a detached camp at the rear of witness's residence. The deceased had no money and was assisted by his mother-in-law. He used explosives for prospecting. About 6.15 am on June 11, the witness was awakened by a loud explosion alongside his bedroom which blew the wall in and wrecked the room. Witness and his wife were stunned by the explosion but when he regained his senses he rushed out of the room to Collins's camp. Collins was missing and was eventually found in the lane with a deep gash in his throat.
Mrs. Minnie Bond stated that she heard Collins strike a match outside the bedroom window about 6.15 am and then heard him walk away. She recognised his footsteps as he walked, and as it was his custom to light the fire every morning, she took no notice of what she heard. A few seconds later, an explosion occurred and the room was wrecked.
Constable William Pollard said that he was awakened by a loud explosion that shook the house. A few seconds later he received a telephone message that a man was lying dead in the lane at the back of Crameri's hotel. Proceeding to the spot, he saw the body of a man lying on the ground, and a group of people standing by it, some in night attire. The man's throat was cut right across very deeply, and he appeared to be dead. There was a blood stained razor on the ground near the feet. Later, one of the bystanders picked up a half-plug of gelignite, with a detonator and fuse attached. The fuse had been lighted and had burned about an inch, where it had been partly cut through; it might have burned towards the end instead of towards the detonator. There were blood stains about 12ft. from the body, and a trail of blood from there to the body.
Further evidence disclosed that part of a plug of gelignite with cap and fuse attached was found under a wet bag near the fence of Bond's residence, while a partly-filled bag of sand had been used to pack up the explosion. In Collins's room, a portion of a plug of gelignite was discovered on a table.
After reviewing the evidence, the Acting Coroner announced the following verdict :-"That Louis Collins came to his death on June 11, 1933, at Leonora, through loss of blood, as the result of injuries to his throat, inflicted by himself while of unsound mind."
Mrs. Russell was the mother-in-law of Collins and Mr Bond, each of whom had married a daughter of Mrs. Russell. Collins' wife died 1903, the year their daughter, Olive Amy, was born, and Olive had lived with Mrs. Russell, her grandmother, since childhood. The family comprising Mrs. Russell, Mr. and Mrs. Bond, Louis Collins, and Miss. Collins, all lived in the same premises and had their meals together. The deceased slept in a detached camp near the back lane, about 30 feet away from the room occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Bond. He had no funds and was assisted by Mrs Russell. For the past 12 months, he had been endeavouring to obtain employment and filled in his time prospecting round Leonora.
Louis Collins' wife, Olive, died in Perth on 28 April 1903, the year of the birth of their daughter, Olive Amy. Mrs Collins was 29 years of age. She is buried in Karrakatta Cemetery.
Michael COMERFORD (more)
Cause of Death: Dilation of Heart, Valvular Incompetence
Following the death of Mr Comerford, the Sergeant of Police at Leonora, Sergeant Foulkes, inserted the death notice in the newspapers, asking if anyone knew the address of his relatives, so they could be officially informed. The notice mentioned that the deceased had lived in Kookynie, Gwalia and Meekatharra. Interestingly, a similar notice was printed in the Kalgoorlie newspaper, the Sun, in 1908, asking : IF THIS SHOULD MEET THE EYE of Michael Comerford, or any one knowing his whereabouts, please communicate with T. Roche, Meekatharra. Last heard of from Mt. Sir Samuel. Friends anxious."
Bernardo CONTESSA (more)
Cause of Death: Fall of Rock
Bernardo Contessa was killed by a falling slab of rock. The rock fell on his head when he stopped to talk to a friend in the course of his progress along a drive to a working face at the south end of level No. 26.
On the day of the accident, evidence of identification was taken and the coroner and jury visited the scene of the occurence. The inquiry was resumed in the Leonora Courthouse on Saturday, July 13. The jury was comprised of Messrs. McAppion, Brennan and Gibb. There were also present in court, Mr. Foxall, Mines Department, Mr. H. V. Rowe. underground manager, representing the Sons of Gwalia, and Mr. J. K Bishop, who appeared on behalf of.
the A.W.U. Constable Melrose assisted the coroner in taking the evidence.
Dr. H. E. Clarke, D.M.O., stated that he was called to the mine on the morning of July 11 and was taken underground, where he saw the dead body of the deceased and ordered its removal to the morgue, where he later made a post-mortem examination, the report of which the witness submitted to the court.
From the nature of the injuries he considered death would have been instantaneous. The whole of the head and face were smashed, the brain was lacerated, the shoulder was fractured and there were numerous abrasions on back, shoulders and arms.
Giuseppe Scolari, timberman, said that on the morning of the accident, he and his mate, Joe Varischetti, were taking timber along the 26 level when they met de Rubeis, who said, 'Come on in. Barney is dead. A big lump came down and all the timber too.' Witness went to the place indicated and Varischetti went to ring the accident signal. Witness saw Barney Contessa lying in the drive with a stone across his back. The stone had come down from the roof. He had been working there for the past three weeks. Mr. Rowe, the boss, came along with others and later the doctor came.
The stone was lifted off the deceased and his body was placed on a stretcher and taken to the surface.
Scolari had sounded the ground at this place every morning and it seemed to be quite safe. The boss had told them to be careful and bar down any loose stones before starting. The drive at this point was about 17 ft. wide, and 17 ft. high where the stone fell. The stone lying across the deceased weighed about 1 cwt. Another piece
weighing about two tons was lying close by.
The coroner then adjourned the hearing for 15 minutes to allow the jury to consider their verdict and, on resuming, he announced the jury finding as follows :— 'That the deceased came to his death on the 11th day of July, 1935, through being accidentally struck by a fall of earth at the 26 level of the Sons of Gwalia mine, no blame being
attachable to anyone.'
Bernardo Contessa was buried in Plot number 236 of the Roman Catholic portion of the Leonora Cemetery.
Gotardo CONTESSA (more)
Cause of Death: Tuberculosis, Exhaustion
The deceased is buried in the Roman Catholic portion of the Leonora Cemetery, plot number 40.
Guiseppe CORADINI (more)
Cause of Death: Miner's Phthisis and haemorrhage
On 8 October 1913, Guiseppe Coradini applied for Australian Citizenship. By that time, he had lived in Kookynie for nine months and Gwalia for six years and three months. He obtained his Citizenship in November 1913.
Thomas Joseph CORCORAN (more)
Cause of Death: Haemoptysis
A most respected citizen and well-known prospector, the deceased had been ailing for some time from lung troubles and on the previous day, was taken to Leonora by Mr. M. Lally. He was admitted to the hospital and attended by Dr. Cameron, who found his condition to be serious. Haemoptysis is a disease in which symptoms include coughing up blood from the lungs. It causes bronchitis, lung cancer and pneumonia. Mr Corcoran was also claimed to have suffered from Dilation of the Heart.
Corcoran was the oldest member of the Prospectors and Leaseholders' Association, secretary of the Sports Club and local representative of the Aborigines Board. He was 'greatly loved by the natives, who will grieve his death.'
Father of the deceased, William Corcoran, was born in Galway Ireland, his wife was born 24 January 1849 at Glendalough, Wicklow, Ireland. They married on 31 July 1867 in Castlemaine, Victoria. Other children known to have been born to this couple were: Michael born 1870; Ann born 1872; Mary born 1874; Agnis born 1876.
In 1922, Thomas' widow, Norah Agnes, was living in Mount Magnet and between 1936 and 1943 she was known to have been living in Greenough. She died in Adelaide, South Australia, 29 May 1949. Norah was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1870.
Antonio COSS (more)
Cause of Death: Shock during Operation
Also known as Anthony Coss. Antonio is buried with his wife, Elizabeth, who died in 1916, in Plot number 112 of the Roman Catholic Portion of the Leonora Cemetery. Her story also appears in this website.
Elizabeth COSS (more)
Cause of Death: Carcinoma and Gall Stones
Elizabeth is buried with her husband, Antonio, who died in 1920, in Plot number 112 of the Roman Catholic Portion of the Leonora Cemetery. His story also appears in this website.
Giacomo COSSI (more)
Cause of Death: Tetanus
Also known as James Cossi.
The deceased died of a tetanus infection after the amputation of two toes in an operation following a fall of rock at the Sons of Gwalia Gold Mine, Leonora.
At the Coronial Inquiry, after hearing all evidence, the jury returned the following verdict: "We find that Giacomo Cossi died at the Leonora District Hospital on the 17th day of September, 1925, from tetanus resulting from an injury to his right foot caused by a piece of rock, which he was barring down at the No 19 level of the Sons of Gwalia Mine on the 4th September, 1925, accidentally falling on him. No blame being attachable to anyone." The jury added the following rider : "We also desire to commend Messrs Bewick Moreing and Co for their promptitude in forwarding serum through by special car for deceased."
The late Mr. Cossi arrived at Broken Hill in about 1899. Towards the close of the war he was taken by the Italian Consul for service in Italy. On his return to Broken Hill, he was unable to pass the medical examination for employment on the mines and then left for Western Australia.
He left a widow, two sons and a daughter.
Ernest Albert White CRAIG (more)
Cause of Death: Gastroenteritis
This little person was illegitimate but no further information has become available about him or his circumstances.
Matilda Mary (HOLMES) CRAMMOND (more)
Cause of Death: Carcinoma of the Stomach, Gastric haemorrhage
The deceased lady was buried in Plot number 216 of the Roman Catholic portion of the Leonora Cemetery.
Patrick CROWLEY (more)
Cause of Death: Dysentery, Heart Failure
Mr Patrick Crawley was one of the pioneers of the Mount Margaret district.
His father, Jeremiah, was born in Cork, Ireland, about 1828. He married Mary Torpy in Victoria in 1867.
Patrick is buried in Plot number 221 of the Roman Catholic portion of the Leonora Cemetery.
He had lived in Victoria for 19 years before moving to Western Australia, and left the amount of 657 pounds to his wife, Annie.
Thomas DALTON (more)
Cause of Death:
The deceased apparently died in his hut.
Winifred Audrey DARNLEY (more)
Cause of Death: Sarcoma Pancreas, Haemorrhage & Exhaustion
Known as Audrey.
Mr and Mrs C.F. Darnely, of Gwalia, submitted a Bereavement Notice in the newspaper, thanking all kind friends and relations for telegrams, letters, cards, floral tributes and personal expressions of sympathy in their recent sad bereavement, in the loss of their two dear little children. Apparently it was a double bereavement within a period of a fortnight. Their son, Charles Conrad, died a fortnight previously in Perth. He was aged 10 months.
Another son, Charles Graham, died whilst they were living in Narrogin in 1924. He was just 5 hours old.
In September 1930, suffering from ill health for some time, Mrs Darnley departed for Perth.
