Remembering Thomas Rossiter

In December 1924 there were many reports in rural newspapers announcing the accidental death of  Thomas Rossiter, a 16 year old youth.

1924 'FATAL GUN EXPLOSION', Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 - 1954), 2 December, p. 5. , viewed 09 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93466583

While those articles gave little information on  the circumstances surrounding Thomas' death the reports of the subsequent  funeral  and coronial enquiry relate the story of this mishap.

1924 'FATAL SHOOTING', The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), 2 December, p. 1. , viewed 09 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163256624

1924 'LAKE SHOOTING ACCIDENT', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 9 December, p. 4. , viewed 09 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137774378

Thomas Leslie James Rossiter was interred in Catherine Hill Bay Cemetery/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152864907/thomas-james_leslie-rossiter

Thanks to reader and local historian, Ros Cheetham, who after reading this post supplied a current image of  Thomas' grave.

Photo by Ros Cheetham - August 2024

Trove Tuesday - David Watkin Humphreys

An article in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) on the 5th October 1915 tells us that "Private David Humphreys was tendered a public farewell on Tuesday evening prior to his leaving for the front."

The article can be read in full here: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137974373

Two years later another newspaper reports that Humphreys had been wounded.

1917 'AUSTRALIAN HEROES AND AN ARTIST'S SKETCHES.', Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), 14 February, p. 17. , viewed 18 Aug 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article160387735

Shortly after he was wounded Humphreys and his mate, G W Stone,  wrote a letter home.

1917 'SOLDIERS' LETTERS.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 31 January, p. 5. , viewed 09 Oct 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133752140

Humphreys who married an English lass, Jessie, returned home and was working as a miner until his tragic death in 1938.

1938 'LONG SEARCH', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 25 June, p. 13. , viewed 09 Oct 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133613477

David Watkins was laid to rest in Belmont Cemetery.