Little John Hepple – grave tales

FATAL POISONING CASE

SAD AFFAIR AT GWALIA.

A most distressing accident, unfortunately attended by a fatal result, occurred at Gwalia on Thurs day the 7th inst., when a lad 6 years of age swallowed a solution of  caustic soda in mistake for fruit juice.  The lad, whose name was John, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hepple, of Gwalia.
On Friday he accompanied his mother on a visit to a friend’s house. Wandering about the house he came across a vessel containing a solution of caustic soda and swallowed portion of the contents. Medical assistance was at once obtained, and the sufferer was conveyed to the hospital,but the case was almost  hopeless from the first, and death took place the following day.

The remains were interred in the Anglican portion of the Leonora cemetery, the funeral service being conducted by the Rev. F E Boxall. The mortuary arrangements, were in the hands of Mr. J. C. Seniken. , Much sympathy is’expressed throughout the district for the bereaved parents, who have been well known and highly respected residents of Gwalia for a number of years.

Little John HEPPLE was born on 12 Aug 1906 at Kanowna WA. At the time of his birth his parents were unmarried so he was recorded as illegitimate. His Father was listed as John Hepple, a miner aged 37yrs born Wallsend NSW, and his mother was Selina SAUNDERS formerly CARNLEY aged 33yrs from Invercargill, New Zealand.

John and Selina were to marry in Oxford Street, Leederville WA on the 8th May 1916 shortly before twin boys were born to the couple, Robert and Jack HEPPLE.

John had a younger brother Robert born 10 Dec 1912 in Gwalia (died 1913) and a sister Ellen born 1908. They also had another daughter, Jessie Estella HEPPLE born in Gwalia WA on 25 Sep 1917 at Gwalia.

Little John died on the day he would have turned 7yrs old.