The Last Survivor of the “Ragged Thirteen” — Camel Billy Recalls the Wild Goldfields Days

Three Pioneers of the Goldfields Arrived in Perth Yesterday
Ages Total 237 Years
One is a survivor of  ‘The Ragged Thirteen’

Three goldfields pioneers, whose combined ages total 237 years, arrived in Perth together yesterday morning by the Westland express for treatment at the Perth Hospital. They are: William (Camel Billy) Kirkwood (81), Andy Chanley (81) and Andy Currey (75), and they came from Leonora. “Camel Billy” Kirkwood is the last surviving member of the famous

“Ragged Thirteen,” wild blades of the roaring 90’s on the goldfields, and in the Kimberleys.

“They were great days, but they didn’t last long enough,” he said, with a hint of regret, yesterday as he sat in the casualty ward of the Perth Hospital, waiting for the doctor’s decision on the state of his eyes, which have been causing him trouble. He has lost sight of one and is frightened for the other. Until he came down to Perth yesterday, he was working on the Sturt Meadows station. “Camel Billy’ they call me,” he said proudly when asked his name. “They called me that at Kanowna years ago when I caught a bad-tempered camel for Paddy Whelan, you know him, who built the Shamrock Hotel in Perth.

Last Survivor – “Yes, I’m the last surviving member of the ‘Ragged Thirteen,” he said. “If I’d stayed with them, I would have been dead, too. They used to drink a bottle of whisky a day. “Let me see-there was Bill Cross, Tom McClay, Jim Jones, MacDonald, C. Burbride and some others. “Jones used to ride into a hotel bar on a colt and smash all the bottles on the shelves. “On one occasion, we got the Coolgardie express driver and guard drunk and drove the train to Perth ourselves. “We tried the same thing on a ship, but the captain put us in irons.” Chuckling reminiscently under his bandages, “Camel Billy” went off with firm step into the doctor’s office. He will remain in Perth for further treatment.

Camel Billy Kirkwood (left) & A Charnley.

A. Chanley has been prospecting in the Leonora district for the past 15 years and has spent the past 40 years on the WA goldfields and in the North West of this State. He has come to Perth for treatment of his left eye, which was injured while helping a plumber at his show, where he works with two mates near Leonora. “I was cutting a pipe, and a bit flew up and hit me in the eye. It was such a blow that I thought I was knocked out,” he said. “The doctor told me to come to Perth and have it treated, so here I am.”

The Ragged Thirteen – Image: Newstead District Historical Soc

Andy Currey was the shakiest of the trio when they arrived by train yesterday morning, and he had to be helped to the ambulance, which took them to the hospital, whereas the other two were quite able to look after themselves. He was taken straight to the doctor when he arrived at the hospital.