When East Meets West by N E Gledhill

Another ‘Ripping Yarn’ from the pen of N E Gledhill, kindly shared by his Great Nephew Allen Gledhill with thanks: When East Meets West (By N.  E.  Gledhill) You wonder how he came to be there; but I’ll tell you. There are brave men in this world who will face anything but themselves. Rio, Danilova, […]

The Torpey Girls in Australia-

I was recently sent a fascinating story by David Howell about his relatives the ‘Torpey Girls’. He has kindly allowed me to share part of their story with you. It was researched by himself and Bosco Ryan, my cousin and his cousin Ed O’Dea. The story begins with John Torpey from Ballyvouden, Kilteely, Co. Limerick […]

Typhoid : digging for ended in digging a grave

‘Typhoid Fever’ Many lives on the waterless goldfields of Western Australia were lost, not only from thirst but also from Typhoid Fever. In the 1890s, Typhoid was endemic throughout Australia. It struck at Perth, Western Australia’s capital itself, then in established outlying centres such as Northam and at temporary townships on the road to the […]

Struck by Lightning – a lucky man

Kalgoorlie Western Argus 28 January 1908, page 20 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. A Singular Experience. There are probably few men who have been struck by lightning and have survived to tell the tale. One of them, if there are any others, is William Smith, from Kalgoorlie who is depicted here as he appeared after his extraordinary […]

Search for the lost Diprotodon

Western Mail Perth – 25 April 1908, page 14 In Search of the Diprotodon Expedition to Sullivans Creek by Charles P Conigrave Visitors to the Museum will probably be familiar with the fine skeleton of that great extinct marsupial, Diprotodon Australis, discovered some years ago at Lake Callabonna, in Central Australia. It may not be […]