Biography

The deceased was believed to have been about 16 years of age when he ran away to sea with his older brother, Frank. Their mother made home life difficult but somehow their father managed to reach the docks in Liverpool in time to persuade Frank to return home. Charles refused and carried on to Australia. The fatal accident occurred at the Vivien's Gold Mine Company's battery at Malcolm. It appeared that the deceased was repairing some belting in the battery when his clothes were caught in the belting and he was carried round the shafting. His leg came in contact with a pulley-wheel and was nearly torn off. The deceased lost a considerable amount of blood and death was due to loss of blood and the accompanying shock. At the inquest, the finding of the jury was that death was due to an accident, no blame being attachable to anyone. Witnesses to the burial were Denis Fitzgerald and G.W. White. Massey was buried in Plot 02, Section B, north-east corner, Church of England section of the cemetery.