After living in Kalgoorlie-Boulder for many years, and talking to lots of people about what they did as youngsters and what games they played. I was told, that although playing on the slime dumps and near mine shafts was ‘strictly forbidden’ just about everyone did it. If their parents had know what they got up to they would have had a fit, I was often told. I’m not sure if the children of today are as disobedient, but it seems that it was rife when my husband was a boy in the 1960’s. Did you and your friends play in these dangerous places or were you among the ‘well behaved’ children?
Sadly, as we know, some occupations and children just don’t mix, and the ones that come to mind first would be farming and mining. In the early days, as if a child didn’t already have the problems of childhood and adult diseases, there was also poor nutrition and sometimes bad or lack of water and there of course were always accidents. Death from burns, drowning, and falls would account for many young lives. This story is about one young man, snatched away from his family while living on a mining lease in Kalgoorlie-Boulder in 1907.
Donald and David VALENTINE – Kalgoorlie Cemetery – Photo Danelle Warnock
Kalgoorlie Cemetery Records
| VALENTINE | David | 13mths | WES | 3/05/1911 |
| VALENTINE | Donald Alexander | 6yrs | WES | 5/04/1907 |
Norseman Times 5 April 1907, page 2
Evening Star – Boulder – 9 April 1907, page 3
DANGEROUS PLAYGROUND
THE DEATH OF DONALD VALENTINE
The death of Donald Valentine, who was killed by failing 600ft down a sand pass while playing on the South Kalgurli mine in the company of other children, produced a strong rider at the inquest yesterday to the effect that the pass was not sufficiently protected. It is to be considered, in the light of the evidence given, whether steps might not be taken to prevent the tailings heaps being used as playgrounds. What with bathing in dams polluted with cyanide and climbing over chemically affected refuse, ordinary health cannot be protected, apart from the dangers so painfully evidenced in the case of Donald Valentine. On some mines the incident is being taken as a guide to prevent any traffic over the leases apart from the main tracks.
Donald and David VALENTINE – Kalgoorlie Cemetery – Photo Danelle Warnock
Evening Star – Boulder – 4 April 1907, page 3
BOY KILLED
AT SOUTH KALGOORLIE MINE.
FALL OF 600 FEET.
The dangers of permitting children to play in parts where mining operations are being carried on, more particularly where unsafe places exist, was painfully exemplified this morning at the South Kalgurli mine. A bright intelligent-looking boy named Donald Valentine, who had not long since reached six summers, was enjoying with others their childish games in close vicinity to a pass, through which sand was being shoveled to the levels below. The unfortunate lad, it seems, ventured too near and overbalanced, and his companions were horrified to see him disappear down the pass from view. The alarm was immediately raised, and those below were communicated with. They went to the 300ft. level, and there witnessed a ghastly sight the lifeless body of the little boy, his head bruised in terrible fashion. Thee body was tenderly picked up, and Dr. Sawell, who quickly responded to a summons, declared life to be extinct.
David Valentine, a son of Mr. Charles Valentine, head engineer at the Perseverance mine, had lived with his parents on the South Kalgoorlie lease for some considerable time. How he came to venture too close to the dangerous spot is not so far known, and the police, up to the time of our going to press, were still making enquiries amongst the playmates of the deceased. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents, Mt. Valentine having been long and favorably known on the fields.
The Inquest 9 April 1907 – Charles Valentine, father of the deceased gave evidence of identification. The boy was six years of age. Gordon Valentine, a four year old brother of the deceased, stated that, with a boy named Cyril Murphy, they were playing near where the trucks tipped. Donald got out of an abandoned truck and started walking backwards. He had a paper bag (produced) on his head.
He was watching the trucks tipping dirt into the hole There were sticks over it. He (Gordon) called out, ‘Look out, Donny’ but he would not look out. His foot slipped down, and he (Gordon) did not see him any more. He ran home and told his mummy, and mummy came to see. She could not see Donny, because the hole was ‘four miles deep.’ Mr. Heggarty told them not to go near the hole, and he did not. The truck that Donald had been sitting in was near the hole. Cyril Murphy, a five years old boy, also gave evidence and stated that Donald was walking backwards when he slipped down the shaft. Gordon called out to him, ‘Look out, Donald, for the shaft’ but he kept on. walking backwards: The paper bag on his head was not over his eyes.
Kalgoorlie Miner 3 May 1911 – VALENTINE – The Friends of Mr. and Mrs. Charles. Valentine, formerly of Lancefield, W.A., are respectfully informed that the remains of their late beloved child, David, will be removed from their residence, 24 King-street, Boulder, at 2 p.m. This Day (Wednesday, May 3rd, 1911), for interment in the Methodist portion of Kalgoorlie Cemetery. I. W. Goss & Co., Undertakers, Piesse-street, Boulder.
The Valentine Family.
Father – Charles Calder VALENTINE – born 1871 Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland.
Mother: Sandra Ann DAWS – born 1876 London England
They married in 1897 in Jarrahdale WA
Children
Charles Calder VALENTINE born Jarrahdale WA in 1897
William Hunter VALENTINE born Jarrahdale WA 1898 died aged 13 months 1899
Donald Alexander VALENTINE born Jarrahdale WA 1900 died aged 6yrs Boulder 1907
Gordon Hunter VALENTINE born Boulder WA 1902
Percival Douglas VALENTINE born Boulder WA 1905
Norman VALENTINE born Boulder WA 1908
David VALENTINE born Lancefield 1910 died aged 13 months Boulder 1911
Moya Sharp
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