A Brother’s Return in Mourning: Tragedy on the Coolgardie Goldfields

Albert Ernest Bezzant was born in 1873 in Buninyong, Victoria. He was the youngest son of Richard Bezzant (1830-1912) and Sarah, nee Scott (1827-1905). Albert died at the age of 22 years on 12 February 1895 in Coolgardie, Western Australia. On his death registration, he is listed as a Miner and the cause of his death was Typhoid Fever. When Albert was born, his father, Richard, was 43 years old and his mother, Sarah, was 46 years old. He had five brothers and three sisters who were:

William Charles born 1852
Henry born 1856 (died 1856)
Eliza born 1857
Henry Edward born 1859
Ada Harriet born 1862
Walter born 1864
Egbert Charles born 1867
Selina Emily born 1870

Albert Ernest Bezzant – Photo Ancestry.com

Grave of Albert E Bezzant – Coolgardie Cemetery – Photo Find a Grave

Albert is remembered by an elaborate headstone in the Coolgardie Cemetery with the following inscription:

“In loving memory of Albert,
youngest son of R. & S. Bezzant,
Newcastle, N.S.W.,
who died 12th February 1895
aged 22 years.”

Albert was followed to Western Australia by his older brother Walter Bezzant, who also brought his young bride, Elizabeth Jane Bezzant, nee Trewhella. They had married in Buninyong, Victoria, in 1896. Elizabeth, who was only 27 years old, died giving birth to their only child, Muriel Hill Bezzant, who was three days old when Elizabeth died on the 18th October 1898. She is buried near Albert in the Wesleyan section of the Coolgardie cemetery, and she also has an imposing headstone.

Coolgardie Miner 18 October 1898, page 4 (name spelled Bessant)

Grave of Elizabeth and Bezzant – Coolgardie Cemetery – Photo Find a Grave

In July 1896, Walter was appointed manager of the Cosgroves Bayley’s South Gold Mine in Coolgardie. In the first half-yearly report, the board stated:

“we desire to take this opportunity of expressing our satisfaction of the capable and energetic management of Mr. Walter Bezzant.”

Cosgroves Mine was where Elizabeth had died, so she and Walter must have lived on the lease, which was quite usual. It’s possible that this was the mine where Albert was also working prior to Walter becoming manager. How sad would it have been for Walter to return to the Eastern States in Oct of 1899 without his brother and wife, but only with a young child? He was to remarry in NSW in 1903 and have one more daughter.

Walter Bezzant in 1903 – Photo Ancestry.com

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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