Biography

John Leyland had come south from the Kimberley and Pilbara goldfields to the Murchison. In 1893, in company with John Doyle and Bill Cutmore, Leyland was among the first to venture into the Northern Goldfields from Cue. They found the "Little Wonder" gold mine close to what was later the Diorite King - Kurrajong townsite. In April of 1898, whilst managing the mine, Leyland gave assistance to Constable Breen of Lawlers in helping to track some Aborigines who had been spearing horses. They were set upon and Leyland was hit over the head with a waddy. He was taken to the Malcolm Hospital where he died soon after. John Leyland had lived in Victoria and Queensland for 40 years.