Robert KIRKPATRICK died on 29th July 1909 in his camp at Bronzewing mine site, Western Australia. The cause of death was lung trouble brought on by leading at Broken Hill, NSW.
Robert Kirkpatrick died of miners lung at the Bronzewing mine site in WA’s Mid West in 1909. Photo- Trevor Tough from Outback Graves.
Robert Kirkpatrick ‘AKA as Bob Kirk’ was born on 18th June 1868 in the Forbes district of NSW. His parents were John Kirkpatrick and Agnes Black. He was the second oldest son, having three brothers and six sisters. His mother died when he was 10yrs old from childbirth complications. He travelled to Western Australia in the early 1890s with his two brothers, William Kirkpatrick, and Thomas George Kirkpatrick, to pursue mining interests. Their interest in gold mining came from their grandfather, Thomas Kirkpatrick, born Dumfriesshire, Scotland, who was prominent in gold mining in NSW, having been the first to mine payable gold at Forbes, NSW, and later operated quartz crushers in various locations. Robert never married, and after a period of ill-health passed away on 30 Jul 1909 at his camp in the Bronzewing district.
Laverton and Beria Mercury 14 August 1909, page 2
An Old Prospector’s End
Quite a gloom was cast over the Bronzewing district on July 30 when a prospector named Fred Robinson reported that Robert Kirkpatrick, an old and respected prospector, who had been in indifferent health for some time past, had died suddenly at a place about 20 miles south of the Bronzewing. The matter was at once reported to the Mt. Sir Samuel Police Station, and the officer in charge arrived at that centre on the following day. The body was removed from Messrs. Robinson and party’s, camp to the Bronzewing on the same day. The body was buried on Sunday, the burial service being read by Mr. J. H. Rowe, Government surveyor, an old friend of the deceased.
The late Mr. Kirkpatrick was only 42 years, of age. He came to W.A. some 18 years ago and followed the occupation of a prospector in the Norseman district, sometime after which he, with his father, and two brothers, Messrs William and J. Kirkpatrick paid his attention to the Erlistoun district, where for many years they carried on mining operations at a spot familiarly known as the Little Battery. Some three or four years ago “Bob” abandoned the Erlistoun district and accompanied the party of prospectors, a member of which was the late Stephen Grace, whose death occurred through being speared by natives, and who were exploring some country about 150 miles to the north of Wiluna. After that deceased took up a lease in close proximity to the Bronzewing, a show discovered by Messrs. Frank and Colin Cameron, in the New England district.
“Kirk” was only 42 when the last call came, but in his comparatively short life had crowded in a good deal of adventure.”
There was scarcely a part of the Mt. Margaret and several other goldfields in Western Australia that Bob was not acquainted with. Previous to his death he had been in precarious health for a few years. He complained of feeling unwell on going to bed on the night previous to his death. On Friday morning one of the party went to the deceased’s camp in order to ascertain what he might require when it was discovered that he was dead. Several prospectors, well known in the Laverton district, including Messrs Baker, Fosser, Hansen, Robinson, Reid, Cameron Bros, and Hastedt, all old friends, were present at the funeral.
Moya Sharp
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