William Osmand ‘Bunny’ CHOULES was born on 8th December 1848 in East Grafton, Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire, England. He came to Australia alone, aged only 17 years, on the ship the ‘Salamanca’ in October 1865, arriving in Port Adelaide, South Australia, in Jan 1866. He stated his occupation as a Labourer.
Also travelling on the same voyage was a young girl of 16 years, Mary Jane ALEXANDER. As Mary was from William’s hometown in Grafton, it is most likely they knew each other before departure. Perhaps a romance developed on the ship. They were to marry two years later, on 25th May 1867 in St George’s Church, Gawler, South Australia. A son was born to the couple the same year they married, Elijah, in 1867, followed soon after by a daughter, Elizabeth Emily, born in 1869. Sadly, Mary died from unknown causes only a few years later in 1873, leaving William as a widower at 25 years old with two small children. Mary is buried in the Truro Cemetery, South Australia.
As was to be expected, he married again quite soon, this time to another Mary, Mary Ann BAKER. This Mary was born in South Australia, daughter of Frederick John BAKER and Hannah nee SMITH. She married William at age 21 in 1875 at St George’s Church, Gawler, South Australia, the same church as his first marriage. Although Mary was born in South Australia, her father, Frederick John BAKER, was from the same County in England as William, so there may have been a prior connection.
William and Mary Ann (nee Baker) CHOULES – Taken in Boulder, WA c 1896 – Photo Ancestry.com
Mary and William were to have another eleven children to add to the two from his first marriage. They were all born in Lyndoch, South Australia, where William was working in road construction.
Sarah Jane Priscilla born 1876
Ellen born 1877
David Thomas born 1879 (died the following year)
Ada Gertrude born 1881
Lucy born 1883
Minerva born 1886
Norman William born 1888 (Killed in WW1 1917)
Carrie born 1888
Hannah born 1891
Frederick William Albert born 1894, died aged 8 from Enteric Fever at Kanowna, WA, 1902
Flora ‘Florrie’ born 1895 died 1898 aged 2 from Tuberculosis at Kanowna WA
(Frederick and Flora are buried together at Kanowna Cemetery WA)
PTE. NORMAN W. CHOULES.Died of wounds. Born in S. Australia. Went to school in Kanowna. Enlisted at Fremantle, where he was a member of the Lumpers’ Union. Wife and two sons reside at Fremantle.
Kalgoorlie Western Argus 14 January 1902, page 19
KANOWNA – It was mentioned last week that a great deal of sickness was rife around Kanowna, also that three of one family were in the hospital, suffering with typhoid. The latter, who are the children of Mr W. Choules, have for some days been in a serious condition, and one of them, a bright lad of eight summers, expired yesterday morning.
The funeral, which took place yesterday afternoon, was very largely attended. The outbreak of typhoid in the district should attract the attention of the Health Board, who obtain fee presumably for the carrying out of the necessary sanitary improvements. At present the condition of the town and district in point of sanitation is far from satisfactory, but it is probable that at tomorrow night’s meeting of the Council, drastic measures for the safety of the residents will be framed and rigidly enforced.
Kalgoorlie Miner 7 Jan 1904
William and Mary Choules outside their Kanowna Home – Photo Ancestry.com
For some reason, the two children from William’s first marriage, Elijah and Elizabeth, remained in South Australia when the rest of the family journeyed to Western Australia in 1903. Elijah was to remain single and was killed in a mining accident in SA at the age of 50 years. They settled in Kanowna, where William worked at the Adolph’s Condenser near the Government Dam. William was to remain in Kanowna for the rest of his life, only leaving just before his final illness when he was sent to the St John of God Hospital in Kalgoorlie, where he died.
William Choules – dressed in his best at Kanowna – Photo Ancestry.com
William died on the 9th October 1934 and is buried in the Kalgoorlie Cemetery with his wife Mary, who had died the previous year.
William and Mary’s grave at Kalgoorlie – Photo Ancestry.com Cemetery (see cemetery office in the background – 1935
William and Mary’s grave at Kalgoorlie Cemetery 2024 – Photo Danelle Warnock
Moya Sharp
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