Mary Eliza Dirksey WITTENOOM was born in Perth WA on the 8th of October 1839, She was the oldest daughter of John Burdett WITTENOOM and Mary Watson HELMS who were both born in England. Mary married Kenneth BROWN in 1859 in Perth WA and had their first child, Blanche Mary Eliza BROWN on 24th June […]
The Men Who Passed Through – Part 3
Western Mail – Perth – 7 November 1940, page 9 OLD PEAK HILL. The Men Who Passed Through. By Suter Abis, Inglewood. At the Peak Hill Co’s battery was a young Englishman employed as amalgamator. Many of the old ‘Peakites’ would remember him. He was a most likable fellow, a free spender, a good cricketer, […]
A Mothers Despair – grave tales
While recently researching the lives of those buried in the Peak Hill Cemetery, I came across this very sad and tragic story. Catherine and George Howard had married in 1895 and, up to the time of her death in 1908, Catherine and George had six children. Children: George Charles born 1896, George James born 1898, […]
Red Flannel Joe- pioneer profile
He is know as ‘Red Flannel Joe’ throughout the district. He is old and somewhat pompous and lives in a tin hut in what was once the main street of this little nor west town of Peak Hill. Its almost deserted now, and Joe’s structure is the only one on that side. In the summer […]
The James Family – a story in pictures
We are fortunate that the family stories and wonderful photos have been shared by Tony James. They show an excellent insight into life in the bush. Tony Tells me – from 1924 to1927 my grandmother, Mary Josephine JAMES nee Hager [1891-1990] ran the wayside Hotel at Bilyuin Pool. My grandfather Oliver Melville Rupert JAMES [1891-1962], […]