William Heron, an Irishman, was about 65 years old when he died in March 1927. He was a station hand and stockman on the Wanarra Station near Wubin. He was drowned in a flash flood in the area and his body was discovered some distance away washed up against a tree two miles from his camp. He was buried near this spot on the Wanarra sheep station outcamp and the Rothsay Gold Mine. He was buried by his friends G Irving, S Hock and Albert Gaynor.
Grave of William Heron – Photo Outback Graves
The flood waters reached a depth of over 6 feet at the locality of his camp and it is thought the deceased was caught unawares by the floods and was in his camp when the waters reached it. It is now presumed that the waters caused the camp to fall and that the tent pole struck him on the head, either killing him or rendering him unconscious, and both he and the tent were washed away. The floods first made their presence felt in the district six days prior, and it is thought William was drowned before he could make any attempt to rescue himself.
Breezes stir the Bowgada scrub
York gums nod and sway
Sheep may grave across the mound
That is a stockman’s grave.
No cross, no name, at the head of the mound
Only little white stones surround
The fading scars on the bushland tell
How this stockman drowned.
Bushbird makes her warning call
Mallee Hen scampers away
Horseman looks down with curious stare
At the stockman’s grave
I passed the grave when just a boy
With imagination wild I saw
Nature’s savage wrath is fire and storm
Claim a good man’s life, what for?
Her cruellest trick was played
On one so brave and strong
In an avalanche of sound one night
A heartbeat, his life was gone.
In natures ageless plan of time
Nature took what nature gave
Upon this mound, no tears fall
It’s just a stockman’s grave.
Four-wheel drive grinds through the scrub
Stops near the mound
Prospector thoughtfully rubs his chin
Yes, there’s little white stones surround.
The Irishman’s grave was hard to find
Who cared, or of any mind
Very few, perhaps two or three
With curious interest in history.
Young man kneels with hat in hand
If only a chance had he been given
To know the sleeper beneath the mound
To meet Grandfather, whilst still living
Old wooden cross no name, if there ever was
Same little white stones surround
The scars are gone, no longer tell
How this stockman drowned.
The grave of William Heron is now marked by a plaque from Outback Graves.
Ref: Western Australian Lonely Graves and Burials at sea by Yvonne and Kevin Coate
Moya Sharp
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What a sad poem of William Heron. thank you Outback Graves for remembering where one of our pioneers is laid to rest.