Outback Graves Markers

Edward Wilson BROAD (more)

Cause of Death: Plane Crash

Known as Ted.

Ted and his pilot, Lieutenant Robert Norman Fawcett, died as a result of an airplane crash during the inaugural Airmail flight through the North West.

The only account received in the city of the accident which claimed the life of Edward Wilson Broad, came from Mr. Geoffrey Jacoby, the representative of the 'West Australian,' who was making the through trip on behalf of that newspaper. The fatal smash apparently happened some miles from the telegraph line, which was tapped in order that the news might be despatched, telegraphic equipment being carried for any such emergency.  Mr Jacoby's story shows how sudden and terrible was the end. He says that about an hour after leaving Geraldton, with the three planes flying together, as previously arranged, Major Brearley and Lieut. Fawcett noticed that Lieut. Taplin was dropping below the agreed altitude of 3,000ft, having developed engine trouble. Taplin sought, and made, a forced landing on a long narrow flat near the Murchison River. Seeing that Taplin was
down, the other machines also made a descent, Major Brearley landing in a cleared field a mile and a half to the north. Fawcett flew close overhead to ascertain the trouble, but Taplin moved him up with a signal to await ten minutes. Having ascended somewhat, Fawcett circled the ground and thus came in obliquely flying low over the scrub. Suddenly, and without warning, the plane nose-dived from about 50ft. up, being completely smashed
on striking the earth. The unfortunate pilot and mechanic were terribly injured, and died within a minute of being lifted from the machine by Lieut. Taplin and Mr. J. Trestrail, mechanic. No clue to the accident could be found on examining the machine, both Major Brearley and Lieut. Taplin agreeing that the engine was in perfect condition.
An inquest on the bodies was held during the day, with Mr. M. P. Durack, M.L.A., one of the passengers, as the Coroner. The jury was satisfied that the deaths were due to an aeroplane accident, the cause of which they left to technical inquiry.
Later the victims were buried in the Murchison House cemetery, near the scene of their death.
Edward Wilson Broad enlisted in the Royal Air Force in London in November, 1914, and joined the 24th Squadron, serving 20 months In France, after which he was transferred to England as instructor. He arrived in W.A. in March of this year and was in the employ of the State Implement Works for some time before joining the "Airways." He resided with Mr. Robert Duncan, Miss M B. Broad and Mrs. Duncan, sisters and brother-in-law of the late mechanic.
The deceased's parents, Thomas Broad and Edith Wilson Mead, were married in October 1881 at Alderbury, Wiltshire, England.  Their family of two boys and three girls were: Harold Wilson born 1882 in London; Mary Beatrice born 1885 in London; Edith May born 2 January 1888 in West Ham, Essex; and another daughter.

Mary Ann (POLAND) EAGAN (more)

Cause of Death: Tetanus

It is thought that Mary Ann was married to a Mr Eagan, who was a water borer on Murchison House Station and could possibly have ben a Ticket of Leave man employed by Andrew Jameson Ogilvie.  However, this has not been confirmed. 

Lieutenant Robert Norman FAWCETT (more)

Cause of Death: Plane Crash

Robert & his engineer, Edward Wilson Broad, died as a result of an airplane crash during the inaugural Airmail flight through the North West.

The only account received in the city of the accident which claimed the life of Edward Wilson Broad, came from Mr. Geoffrey Jacoby, the representative of the 'West Australian,' who was making the through trip on behalf of that paper. The fatal smash apparently happened some miles from the telegraph line, which was tapped in order that the news might be despatched, telegraphic equipment being carried for any such emergency.  Mr Jacoby's story shows how sudden and terrible was the end. He says that about an hour after leaving Geraldton, with the three planes flying together, as previously arranged, Major Brearley and Lieut. Fawcett noticed that Lieut. Taplin was dropping below the agreed altitude of 3,000ft., having developed engine trouble. Taplin sought, and made, a forced landing on a long narrow flat near the Murchison River. Seeing that Taplin was
down, the other machines also made a descent, Major Brearley landing in a cleared field a mile and a half to the north. Fawcett flew close overhead to ascertain the trouble, but Taplin moved him up with a signal to await ten minutes. Having ascended somewhat, Fawcett circled the ground and thus came in obliquely flying low over the scrub. Suddenly, and without warning, the plane nose-dived from about 50ft. up, being completely smashed
on striking the earth. The unfortunate pilot and mechanic were terribly injured, and died within a minute of being lifted from the machine by Lieut. Taplin and Mr. J. Trestrail, mechanic. No clue to the accident could be found on examining the machine, both Major Brearley and Lieut. Taplin agreeing that the engine was in perfect condition.
An inquest on the bodies was held during the day, with Mr. M. P. Durack, M.L.A., one of the passengers, as the Coroner. The jury was satisfied that the deaths were due to an aeroplane accident, the cause of which they left to technical inquiry.
Later the victims were buried in the Murchison House cemetery, near the scene of their death.
Robert was the sixth of eleven children born to Mary Lillian Harden and Arthur William Fawcett, who were married at Kapunda, South Australia, on 7 September 1887.  Their other children were Laurel June born 24 June 1888 at Kapunda, South Australia, died October 1893 at Broken Hill, New South Wales; Arthur Hamilton born 21 January 1890 at Kapunda, died 11 November 1890, at Broken Hill, New South Wales; Leonard James born 3 September 1891 in Broken Hill, New South Wales; Edna Lilian Rita born 8 June 1894 at Alma, New South Wales; Edith May Marguerite born 21 May 1896; Kathleen Mabel born 7 August 1900 near Kapunda, South Australia; Dorothy Ethel born 10 April 1902 at Kapunda; Gwenyth Nora born 22 May 1903 near Kapunda, died 15 April 1904; Herbert Barkla born 10 September 1905 at Kapunda; Wilfred D'Arcy born 21 June 1907 near Kapunda.
Arthur William Fawcett died 12 May 1946 at Kapunda.  His wife survived him by twenty years, when she died on 18 May 1966 at Kapunda and she, in turn, was survived by seven of her children.

Nathanial HORSFIELD (more)

Cause of Death: Inflammation of the stomach

There were no children of Nathaniel's first marriage to the former Lucy Empshall, who died in December 1843.

At the age of about 44 years, on 9 December 1848, in York, Yorkshire, England, Nathaniel HORSEFIELD was sentenced to 15 years and transportation for burglary.  He arrived in Fremantle on 25 October 1850 on the Hashemy and obtained his Ticket of Leave on the same date.  On 17 February 1852, he obtained his Conditional Pardon.

At the Murchison House Station Cemetery, the gravestone which was erected in memory of Nathaniel Horsfield was erected by his master and fellow servants.

The Murchison House Station Cemetery record states that Nathaniel Horsfield was a botanist brought to the station by the original owner, Charles von Bibra, who died in October 1869.

—?— MIKE (more)

Cause of Death:

This Aboriginal died in 1889 and was a servant of Charles Von Bibra, the original owner of Murchison House Station, who bred Arab horses.

 

Andrew Jameson OGILVIE (more)

Cause of Death: Drowned

Murchison House Station was originally taken up by Charles Von Bibra, who bred Arab horses on the lease.  Andrew James Ogilvie bought the property in 1885 and owned it until his death in 1906.

During his time on Murchison House Station, Andrew Ogilvie employed a Ticket in  of Leave cook in 1878 and a Ticket of Leave well sinker, possibly Mr John Eagan, in 1881. He visited South Australia in 1888.

In an article to the Geraldton Express in 1906, Dr Moffit, of Northampton, detailed his incredible two day journey across most inhospitable countryside to reach the Murchison House Station homestead after he received a letter at the Courthouse from Mrs Ogilvie, informing him that her husband had been drowned on the previous day,

Andrew Jameson Ogilvie died on 8 October 1906 at Watts Pool, Murchison, Western Australia, by drowning. An inquest was conducted and his death was ruled "accidental by drowning". It appeared that he had gone duck hunting, which he enjoyed, and slipped and fell into 3 feet of water which soon became 10 feet where his body was found. His wife said that he was "timid of water" and he apparently had tried to grasp an object to hold onto, but could not and drowned in the Murchison River.

Following Dr Moffit's post-mortem examination, Mr. T. A. Drage, J. P. acted as coroner, with Messrs. S. H. Mitchell, jun., J. P. Oxenham, and Best as jurymen.  Having inspected the site of the drowning, the coroner and jury sat from after lunch on Friday until 1 am on Saturday morning, and then adjourned until the following day, when the jury for the second time visited the scene of the fatality.  Finally, the jury brought in a verdict of accidental death, the only one that could be expected, after a most searching inquiry.

Mr Ogilvie's second wife,  Ada Leila Frances, was born in 1872 in Sydney.  In 1908, two years after the death of Andrew Ogilvie, she married Thomas Brougham Birkbeck.   In 1909, Ada Leila Frances was living in Melbourne. In 1916, her address was at the Villa Mirasole, 40 Boulevard D'Italie, Monte Carlo. She died there in 1949. 

Gladys Maude PORTER (more)

Cause of Death:

The deceased's father, Frederick Albert Porter, married Maude Evangeline Carledge at Kalgoorlie in 1907 (Marriage Registration 1800049/1907, East Coolgardie).  Children from this marriage were Frank Albert born 1908 in Kalgoorlie (Birth Registration 1800229/1908, East Coolgardie); Roy Frederick born 16  February 1910 at Kalgoorlie (Birth Registration 1800130/1910, East Coolgardie); Benetta Mary came next in 1911, followed by Lorna Adelaide, who was born 25 October 1914 in Geraldton (Birth Registration 2900174/1914, Geraldton).  Finally, Gladys Maude arrived some 13 years after the birth of her eldest brother, Frank Albert.

The child's father, Frederick Albert Porter, was born 8 October 1887 at Walkerville, South Australia. His wife was born in Sale, Victoria, on 13 January 1883.

Little Gladys' mother, Maude, died in 1970 in Geraldton.  Her father died there on 11 June 1978.

JILBA TJILIYNA (more)

Cause of Death:

Jilba is buried at the Murchison House Station Cemetery in the same plot as Andrew Ogilvie.