James Shaw was born in 1846 in Belfast, Ireland. His father was Hugh Shaw, an engineer, and his mother was Margaret. They married in Victoria. In 1864, at the age of 18, James Shaw sailed to Auckland, New Zealand, where he started a most successful contracting business. He also won a service medal for fighting […]
Phillip Edward VOWELS – Goldfields Hero
Lt. Philip Edward Michael VOWELS (KIA) 11th May 1918 aged 27 years, Born in 1890 in Horsham, VIC (23994), 11th Battalion(Infantry) Military Cross and bar to Military Cross. He was the son of William Henry VOWELS and Bridget Maria (Whelan), who came over to Cioolgardie, Western Australia, in the late 1890s. He is acknowledged in […]
The Great Unwashed Preserver of the Peace:
Constable JOLLY – Coolgardie, Western Australia 1909 Nick-named ‘The Great Unwashed Preserver of the Peace’ Constable Jolly blamed the scarcity of water for his economical use of it, which in turn, caused some dissatisfaction among his fellow police officers who finally planned to lure him to Silverthorne’s dam and push him in. This drastic step […]
Elephant Advertising Beer
This is one of my favourite photos of an Elephant being used to advertise Swan Beer in Coolgardie, probably would have looked better on a bigger elephant, don’t you think?? This pic is from the Book ‘Gold and Liquid Gold’, Obsolete Breweries of the Western Australian Goldfields by Geoff Spiller.
Thirst or Treachery? The Tragic Fate of Tom Cantwell
Thomas Cantwell Died of Thirst or Foul Play? The following item appeared in the local paper in Camblin, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, Ireland on the 24th Dec 1895: Perished between Norseman and Coolgardie Western Australia, supposed from thirst, Tom Cantwell (43 years), one of the best fellows who ever pulled off a shirt. Poor Tom was […]