Biography

The deceased was buried by Joseph Egan and Police Constable AC Moray (Roman Catholic) in witness of Angus L McPhail, book-keeper, Ord River Station.

Pite died of injuries received in an aeroplane crash. About 60 years after he perished, his sister, Mrs Hickey, and her children placed on his grave a headstone which they had brought from Sydney.

Apparently, Pite came to the North West to join his uncle, Richard Macale, at Bow River, but things did not work out. He was working for the Quiltys at the time of his death.

According to Halls Creek historian Derek Keene (now deceased), whilst working at Bedford Downs Station, Pite received advice by telegram that his father was dying in NSW. Pite drove to Halls Creek to catch an aeroplane to begin the journey down to see his father. Apparently he and several others boarded a plane at Halls Creek, but on take off it failed to clear the fence at the end of the runway and crashed. All passengers survived the crash. Later that day, a small mail plane landed, but with only one spare seat, the other passengers allowed Pite to take the seat, so as to get to his dying father. Tragically, the plane crashed at Ord River Station, killing both Pite and the pilot.

Charles Henry Pite was the third of six children in the family.  Their parents were married in Sydney in 1898.  Charles' siblings were: Dorothy Adelaide born 1 October 1898; Walter Anthony born 1904; Marie Imelda born 1908; Isobel Angela born 1910; Cecilia Honoria born 7 September 1913.  Adelaide Josephine was born 18 August 1876 in Queensland.  She died 27 February 1944 in Petersham, New South Wales.  Her husband was born 1870 in Sydney and died in Albury, New South Wales in 1855.