Struck Down in His Prime: The Death of Constable Edward Tindall

Death from Typhoid Fever was common around the turn of the 19th century. Many of the victims were fit young men who could succumb to the disease and perish very quickly, as this story of a young Police Constable, who had been on the Goldfields less than 6 months, will tell. The following is an extract from the Admission Register of the Kalgoorlie Hospital:

From the Kalgoorlie Miner, 24th March 1900-   The death took place yesterday, 23rd March 1900, at the Government Hospital of a member of the Kalgoorlie Police Force, Const Edward Tindall. Typhoid was the cause of death after a brief but severe illness, which Mr Tindall’s fine physique could not successfully resist. The deceased, who was highly regarded by his officers and comrades, was unmarried, about 24 years of age, and a native of New Zealand, in which colony his father is a minister of the Church of England. The funeral is to take place at 3. o’clock this afternoon.