Thomas Cranwell
On the 27th of January, 1900, The Freeman’s Journal recorded the death of Thomas Grannell, noting the following:‘With heartfelt regret (writes our White Cliffs correspondent) I have to announce the sudden death of our popular townsman, Mr. Thomas Grannell, which took place at the temporary hospital on Thursday, the 10th, two hours after admission there… His funeral, which took place next morning at 9:30, was a most impressive one. Although the hour appointed for interment was an early one, the friends of the deceased attended in force, many of them miners, living at a distance from the town, coming on foot to pay a last tribute of respect to their old friend and philosopher. The tributers working on the White Cliffs Opal Mining Company’s Blocks, where Mr. Grannell former had been overseer, marched four deep to the number of several hundreds behind the hearse, also the Club Committee of which he was president. The Cliffs Brass Band led the way, playing a solemn march the whole of the distance, the drums being muffled and draped in black. A large number of vehicles and cyclists walking beside their machines made the cortege one of the largest seen on the Cliffs. The scene at the grave was an affecting one, old grey-haired men showing deep grief at the loss of one who had been a true and generous-hearted friend to all. The coffin was strewn with a profusion of wreaths and other floral tributes sent by lady friends of deceased, many of whom followed the remains to their last resting-place.Mr. G. F. Murphy, J.P., read the burial prayers in the absence of Father Paul Zundolovich, parish priest of Wilcannia, who had been telegraphed for the day previously, when it became known Mr. Grannell’s condition was critical, so that he might have the last rites of this Church (of which he was a most devout adherent) administered to him; but owing to the blinding dust storms prevailing here daily Father Paul had to put up for the night at Dry Lake, forty odd miles from here, and was unable to reach here in time even to conduct the funeral ceremonies.
Maggie Martin
The Barrier Miner, Friday 6 July 1900, records the tragic death of little Maggie Martin.‘A sad mishap took place at White Cliffs on Sunday. While Mesdames Tiffen and Martin were out driving a spirited pair of ponies the animals became unmanageable and bolted. The buggy contained, besides the two ladies, a number of children. The conveyance was whirled over some dangerous rocks, throwing all the occupants out except two little girls, daughters of Mr. Robert Martin. They remained in while the horses rushed madly over the broken ground. The youngest, named Maggie, 4 years, was pulled out through her clothes catching in the wheel, and was carried round several times and frightfully mangled. The unfortunate child died later in the evening.
William R.W. Richardson
William Roy Wellington Richardson was the infant son of prominent White Cliff pioneers, Alfred (Alf) and Ellen Richardson. Alf was one of the kangaroo hunters and boundary riders of Tarella Station who found the first opal at White Cliffs. Alf and his brother-in-law pegged out eight mining blocks that proved to be the best blocks of the field and he became a well-known opal buyer for some time. He then took over the licence of the White Cliffs Hotel, then known as the Opal King Hotel, and held it for approximately 20 years. The Richardsons were heavily involved in the establishment of White Cliffs and its pioneering community.After the tragic death of their infant son, Alf and Ellen experienced marital difficulties, as captured in candid detail in a divorce case, which were incredibly rare at that time.
William Richardson (Snr)
The Daily Herald, Monday 27 June 1910, recorded the following account.'Mr. William Richardson, who met with an accident at White Cliffs last Friday week, and sustained a fractured hip, died on Saturday. Mr. Richardson was born at Hawick, Scotland, in 1826. Twenty years ago, he arrived in the district from South Australia under an engagement with the Momba Pastoral Company. He carried out extensive building contracts on the Momba holding. The Mount Jack woolshed and homestead were erected by him. The deceased, who was a mason by trade, some time afterwards went to reside with his sons at White Cliffs. One of them, Mr. Alf. Richardson was the discoverer of opal at White Cliffs. The deceased was twice married and leaves six sons and six daughters.'
Slim Ross
The Barrier Miner, Tuesday 19 November 1935, records the tragic accident.‘A young man known as Arthur Colin Ross, who was an employee of Yancannia Station, died at White Cliffs at the week end from injuries he received when he fell from a horst in a race at the White Cliffs gymkhana…. Ross had the mount on Mr. C. Leckie’s mare Winsome Gold in a race at about 6.35 pm on Friday. Just before the horses in the race reached the winning post it was seen that Winsome gold was riderless, as the cloud of dust caused by the leaders cleared away the jockey was seen lying on the course. Constable Black had the man taken to the White Cliffs Hospital immediately, but he died without regaining consciousness…. It was stated in evidence that Ross had attempted to cut in on the fence and had not seen the two-furlong post with which he collided causing him to fall from his horse. He was struck by Cecil Richards horse, which could not clear him in time.
Gwen Rowe
Born in 1921, Gwen Rowe caught polio at three and was crippled, but treatment by Sister Kenny’s methods enabled her to walk again (Sister Kenny was a self-trained Australian bush nurse who developed an approach to treating polio using hot compresses, followed by passive movement of the affected areas).During the Depression, her family tried to earn a living, farming angora rabbits, growing mushrooms, raising guinea pigs and then poultry. It is said that Gwen beheaded two thousand chickens a week! Then she did a secretarial course, and during the war she was sent to be a glass cutter, cutting lenses for gun-sights and submarine periscopes. After being injured, she joined the Land Army, ‘constant and varied hard work’, though she enjoyed organising concerts and a quartet, the Overall Harmonists. At the end of the war, Land Army members were offered further training. Gwen was one of only 37 out of 6,000 eligible women to apply, and she went to university where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
George Rostron
George Rostron sadly passed away at the age of 48 from pneumonia in July 1908. He had been the manager of Momba Station, the largest run in New South Wales at the time, where he lived with his wife Rosamund Rostron. His father was one of the pioneers of northern Victoria.
Eugene Guggenheimer
Eugene Guggenheimer was born in Stuttgart, Germany and he learnt his trade at the great opal centre of Idar-Oberstein. When he reached White Cliffs around 1895, he worked as a miner for some time before becoming a buyer.Despite trips to Germany, he spent much time in White Cliffs in short-lived partnerships with other overseas buyers before opening a jewellery and fine goods shop with T. Johnson, opposite Barclay’s Royal Hotel. Eventually it was sold to George Nejaim.Local history recalls that Eugene caused considerable excitement when he brought a motor bike from Germany in September 1900, only to have it promptly stolen. It didn’t take long to track it down! He was considered good-humoured, an interesting conversationalist, and noted for his pleasant manners. His unfortunate death from influenza in 1903, aged only 38, removed an extremely popular citizen from the town.The elaborate drapes in the photograph indicate that it was taken in a studio setting, probably that of local photographer Gustav Kanter. The opal displayed makes one wish for a colour photo!
Althea Windschnurer
Althea Windschnurer (nee Berridge) was born in New Zealand in 1923 and came to White Cliffs when she was in her 40s. She purchased the dug out of Gwen Rowe and was known affectionally for being a true lady. She had a brilliant sense of timing and drama. Her grave features a Silver Fern, as a piece of her heart always belonged to New Zealand. Her daughter Cree Marshall is one of White Cliffs’ most creative residents.
Merv Brown
When Merv died, the community decided to use the drop stone (a glacial rock) as a marker on his grave. This stone had been very special to Merv and had been used for many years as a seat in front of his BBQ.Due to its great weight, local opal miner Ron Dowton, took the front end loader up to Merv's place, took it home, and with great difficulty drilled the holes into it for the plaque.According to the local community, Merv had been a terrific bloke and a 'wild child from Mount Isa who left behind a great collection of explosives’!Sadly, when Merv was in the final stages of his life, his brother David decided to visit him and was killed in a car accident on his way.
Yohann Steyfan
Yohann Steyfan was born in Tienfenbach, Germany in 1918. In Australia he was an opal miner known as Hans Stephan. He was well respected by the local community who erected this charming monument in his honour.
Clara & Sydney Byers
Sydney was the infant son of long term White Cliffs residents, David and Clara (Clare) Byers.According to local history, David James Byers arrived in White Cliffs with his hawkers van in 1893, and in seven years, was one of the town’s wealthiest citizens. Early on he realised there was more chance of a steady income from supplying family needs than from mining for opal and was soon trading from his Sydney Cash Store – a shed of canvas and brush near the current White Cliffs Hotel.In time, he managed Stone and Corney’s big local branch store, shared partnerships as ‘Miller and Byers’ and ‘Ford and Byer’s, and eventually bought the White Cliffs Hotel.
John Price Jones 'Jacky'
The Worker, 24 February 1909, records the following account of John Price Jones.‘Dear Worker, it is with extreme regret that I have to report the death of ‘Jacky’ Jones, which sad event took place in the White Cliffs Hospital on Feb. 11. Jacky was taken from Gemville into the hospital on last Boxing Day, suffering from severe stricture caused by a strain when carrying logs to log up his claim some three months ago. On looking over the police court dispositions of the Grasmere cases… I see that John Jones was the first man arrested on that memorable night when Billy McLean and Jack Murphy were shot through the bodies, and other men were more or less severely wounded [this was part of the shearer’s strike and Jones was a unionist]. Jacky, along with several others, was sentenced to three years over the affray. Jacky was a simple, brave, kind-hearted little man, and was liked and respected by all who knew him…. It is over 35 years since Jacky first came on the Darling, and many river men, especially those from Wilcannia to Mildura, will be sorry to hear of his end. I believe his right name was John Price Jones’.
Patrick Joseph Howard
The Barrier Miner, 13 June 1904, records the death of Patrick Howard.‘Mr. D. H. Dunlop, J.P. Coroner, held an inquest on Tuesday, at the Royal Hotel, White Cliffs, on the body of Patrick Howard, teamster, aged 28. After delivering his load on the previous day, deceased left the town in charge of a bullock wagon, on his return to Wilcannia. He had only proceeded about one mile when he met his death, in consequence of falling off his wagon, the wheels of which passed over his body. When found Howard was quite dead, and his team was standing some little distance further on. When leaving the town deceased was under the influence of drink, but was considered by his friends who saw him off to be capable of managing his team…. The funeral of the deceased left Barclay’s Royal Hotal at 4.30 Tuesday afternoon and was largely attended. Members of the G.U.O.O.F., of which order deceased was a member marched in the cortege. Deceased was married and leaves a young wife and child. (Note: G.U.O.O.F. stands for the Grand United Order of Oddfellows).
