A Christmas Tragedy
The Death of Henry Joseph Marnham
In the early days of the Goldfields, death by fire was sadly all too common. While researching deaths in Coolgardie, I came across a heartbreaking case that led me to the old newspaper archives for more details. The cemetery entry reads:
MARNHAM, Henry Joseph – Born 26 December 1896, aged 3 years and 6 months. Died near Cox’s Brewery, Coolgardie.
Cause of Death: Burnt to death.
Parents: James Marnham (labourer) and Elizabeth Veronica Lovatt.
Born: Claremont, WA.
Buried: Coolgardie Cemetery, Roman Catholic section A42.
Registered: 4/1897, Coolgardie.
What I found in the reports was a sorrowful account of a young life lost most horrifically, on what should have been a day of joy — Christmas Day.
Coolgardie Pioneer – 2 January 1897
A Terrible Fatality at Toorak – A Child Burnt to Death
At around 11:30 a.m. on Christmas Day, a fire broke out in a hessian hut at East Toorak, near Hunt Street. The blaze took the life of three-year-old Henry Joseph Marnham, who had been living with his grandmother, Mrs Agnes Lovatt, while his parents were away working in Kellerberrin.
It appears that Mrs Lovatt had dozed off and was awakened by the sound of Henry crying out, “Mammy, Mammy!” The small boy’s clothing was already alight. In a desperate attempt to save him, the grandmother tried to grab hold of him, but he pulled away and ran — and in the fierce heat and choking smoke, she was forced to retreat, badly burned herself.
The boy was known to play with matches, and it was believed he accidentally set the fire himself. The Fire Brigade arrived quickly, but the building and the surrounding hessian structures were already engulfed. Witnesses, including a man named Mr Blizard, tried to reach the child but were driven back by the flames. When rescuers finally reached the interior, Henry was found with his arms uplifted — a haunting image. He was carried to Sister Florence’s care, but his injuries were beyond help. Mrs Lovatt was taken to the hospital and treated for burns to her face and hands.
Inquirer and Commercial News – 1 January 1897
The Coolgardie Burning Fatality – Inquest and Verdict
The inquest into Henry’s death was held at the Coolgardie Police Court before Mr Stafford, Coroner, and a jury of three.
Mrs Agnes Lovatt testified that she lived in a two-room hessian house with the boy and had gone to sleep late that morning. She awoke to find the child’s coat on fire and flames spreading rapidly. Though she tried to save him, he struggled away and disappeared into the smoke. She was injured trying to reach him, and neighbours were unable to enter the building.
Dr McNeil confirmed that the child had died from extensive burns, with many bones exposed. He described Henry as a well-nourished little boy.
Charles Alson, the owner of the house, stated he had visited just ten minutes before the fire and saw the child playing on the floor while Mrs Lovett lay on the bed. There was no fire lit at the time, as he had put it out earlier that morning.
Charles W. Blizard, manager of the Coolgardie Miner, described seeing the hut ablaze and Mrs Lovett screaming that the child was inside. After the fire died down, the boy’s body was recovered.
James Marnham, the father (Railway Ganger), said he had received word of his son’s death on Sunday and arrived in Coolgardie the following day, in time for the burial. He had not seen the child for six months.
Constable Topliss, who responded to the fire, confirmed that the child’s body was taken to the morgue and that
Mrs Lovatt appeared “intoxicated with excitement.”
After a short deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death from burning.
It is hard to imagine the pain the family must have endured. One can only hope young Henry rests peacefully beneath the red dirt of Coolgardie, where so many lives were cut tragically short.
Henry was the family’s eldest child. The couple had married in York, W,A in 1893 and had the following children:
James Richard born 1895
Arthur Frederick, born 1897
Lilian Lenore born 1898
Veronica May born 1899
James Joseph Leslie born 1900 (died aged 5 months in Paddington)
Leslie William James born 1902
Harvey Baden Lovatt born 1912 (died aged 8 months in Kalgoorlie)
Tragedy had not yet finished with this family as the were to loos two more childrfen. James who died in 1900 in Paddington (near Kalgoorlie) and Harvey in 1912. Elizabeth was to loose her oldes and youngest child. Agnes Bridget Lovatt, Henry grandmother moved to Kalgoorlie after the death of her grandson, and she died there in 1912, aged only 56 years. She is buried in the Kalgoorlie Cemetery.
Grave of Agnes B Lovatt in Kalgoorlie cemetery- Photo Find a Grave
Moya Sharp
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