William Buckland Durbridge 1874 – 20/3/1930 Article from The Advertiser 26/3/1930 “Whilst working on his claim at Coober Pedy opal fields, Mr William Buckland Durbridge was suddenly taken ill and collapsed. His mate, Mr R Coles, who was working close by, realised his predicament, and caught him before he fell. He was brought from the 18-ft level in a sling and placed on a bed in a nearby dugout. About 11 o’clock that night, Thursday March 20, Mr Durbridge passed away without recovering consciousness. The deceased was well known in the north-west district. As a mark of respect all work on [...]

Sophie d. 23/2/1950 Sophie was an Aboriginal child. She was accidentally killed on the 23rd February 1950. Police Constable Clair Bottroff came from Tarcoola to investigate her death. He wrote about his trip in a letter to his parents. He wrote: I was expecting to submit a report on the child’s death to the Coroner and fix everything up on the spot. But when I arrived I found him ‘black out’ drunk, and the only other white man near there that night (the post master) was not much better. I got the story of what happened mostly from the women folk. [...]

Karl Wendt c.1890 - 3/9/1952 Listed in the SA Directory 1939-1952, Prospector, Coober Pedy Information from the Coroner’s Report Aged about 62, Karl Wendt had lived at Coober Pedy for about 20 years and had been an opal prospector in early years but later had done nothing but lived on charity of other people who gave him gifts of money and food. He was an eccentric character and did not talk to many people or mix much. He lived in a dugout owned by Vic Williamson, where his body was found in an impoverished state, his death thought to be due [...]

Joseph Brusch Died 1/11/1935 Joseph was Austrian by birth and had no known relatives in Australia. He had lived at Coober Pedy for about 20 years. Information: given by Charles Bryant, John Kemp and Thomas Scanlon

Johnny Prince There's no date of birth or death recorded for Johnny Prince. He was the younger brother of Yakati Prince. Yakati was well known on the stations where he used to break horses, make yards and fences and work with cattle and sheep. In Coober Pedy he was known as a boxer. He was head stockman on Hamilton Station. Yakati grew up on Macumba Station so it is likely Johnny did too. According to Yakati, "My brother Johnny had some accidents. First one was on the Stuart Highway when the road was a dirt track, near Wintinna Creek. The second [...]

Jim Hobbs c. 2/10/1925 from ‘The Transcontinental’ 2/10/1925 “An old identity of the north – Jim Hobbs – was found dead in his bunk at the Nine-Mile by Jacob Santing. A ‘roll up ’ was called. Mr Santing and others went out and brought the body into Coober Pedy, where the deceased was buried the same evening, the remains being followed to the grave by most of the men on the field. The deceased must have died in his sleep, as the hands were crossed on the breast, and the bed was not disturbed.”

Charles Sharpe Died 1959 Charles Sharpe is listed in the SA directory 1939 – 1958 Prospector in Coober Pedy We read of Charlie Sharpe in Vin Wake’s book “Opal Men” when Charlie encounters Jim Shaw, the “Iron Man” on his epic walk from Kingoonya to Coober Pedy, pushing a wheel barrow. “He ( Jim) had not gone far when he was overtaken by Charlie Sharpe, who had come from Kingoonya with a string of camels. In Germany Charlie had served his time as an engineer but on arrival in Australia he had chosen the life of an opal miner. Small and [...]

Edward O’Hearn ?1867 – 11/7/1941 From a newspaper article 25/7/1941 “Old Resident Found Dead in Dugout” “An old resident, Mr E. O’Hearn was found dead in his dugout on Saturday July 12. Deceased had been on the field for a long time and was one of the most highly respected residents. The funeral took place on the following day, all the men on the field paying their last respects at the gravesite.” Another newspaper article from the Adelaide Advertiser 24/7/1941 reads:- “Opal Field Veteran” “Mining for opal at Coober Pedy must be a healthy occupation for the aged. For example, Edward [...]

George James Masters c. 24/9/1927 Author: E Grundy, Mines Warden “First thing Saturday morning I was advised that a miner had been found dead in his camp……Afterwards I went around and had a look at the poor chap. He had been pretty ill the day before, and evidently died early in the morning. There was no doubt the man was dead so I gave a certificate for burial. After interviewing several persons and taking down statements, on account of the weather, the funeral was fixed for 2 pm same day and I was asked to read the burial service. A book [...]