This compilation contains the names of more than 300 railwaymen (ie employees, not public passengers) who were killed or died while on duty between 1879 and today. Many workers have also suffered injuries, some life-threatening, which it has not been possible to include.
392 records found. Showing 51–75.
| Date | Surname | Given names | Designation | Location | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900-01-15 | CALLANAN | Patrick | Fettler | Perth | Patrick Callanan (originally listed as Patrick Callaghan (50-60) due to inaccurate reporting by the Daily News) was 40 years of age when he died as the result of being run over when he stepped clear of one train and into the path of another during shunting operations at the William Street Crossing (The Horseshoe Bridge was not constructed until 1904). Patrick was married and had 5 children. He lived at Leederville with his family and was interred at Karrakatta Cemetery (ROMAN CATHOLIC/AA/0139) | Open PDF |
| 1904-01-14 | CAMERON | Edward McQueen | Guard | Claremont | Edward Cameron was 43 years of age when he was fatally injured during shunting operations at Claremont. Edward was a widower who lived at Fremantle with his daughters, Susie and Lizzie aged 20 and 16 respectively. Edward was interred at Karrakatta Cemetery (PRESBYTERIAN/AA/0223). | Open PDF |
| 1914-10-17 | CAMPBELL | James | Navvy | Bunjil | James Campbell died as the result of falling from a gang trolley carrying eleven men. In an attempt to arrest his fall he grabbed his workmate James Wilson. James Wilson died within hours and James Campbell died in Northam Hospital sometime later. | Open PDF |
| 1900-01-07 | CARROLL | James | Guard | 11 Mile Mill, Waroona | James Carroll died after falling from a wagon while shunting. He was run over and fatally injured. He lived at Waroona with his wife and child. | Open PDF |
| 1919-12-03 | CARROLL | John | Guard | Kurrawang woodline | John Carroll was 56 years of age when he suffered fatal injuries after falling under the wheels of wagons being shunted. He lived at Kurrawang with his family and was a well liked and respected member of that community. John was the father of John Carroll VC. Burial details could not be found. | Open PDF |
| 1954-09-02 | CAUSH | Refat | Ganger | Bayswater | Refat Caush, a Ganger, was 63 years of age when he was struck and killed by a railcar while working at Bayswater. Refat was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. Refat lived with his wife Seline and their family at Bayswater and was interred at Karrakatta Cemetery (MUSLIM/AA/0161) | Open PDF |
| 1914-06-06 | CLEARY | Hugh | Fireman | Midland Junction | Hugh Cleary was 25 years old when his foot was crushed in an accident on the locomotive turntable at West Midland on 25 May 1914. Hugh was taken to Nurse O’Farrell’s Private hospital in Midland Junction where it was determined that his foot was beyond saving and it was amputated. Hugh appeared to be recovering until he was overtaken by infection (Tetanus). Hugh died from the infection 12 days after the accident on 6 June 1914. Hugh lived with his parents in Midland Junction and is interred at Karrakatta Cemetery (Roman Catholic/BC/0104A) | Open PDF |
| 1954-02-19 | CLEMENTSON | Joseph | PW Inspector | Beechina | Joseph Clementson was 62 years of age when received what proved to be fatal injuries in a collision between his motorised tricycle and a train near Beechina. Joseph was apparently unaware that he had fractured his neck when he jumped clear just before the impact, he died in Royal Perth Hospital two day later. Joseph lived in Claremont with his wife, Mary Alice, and he is interred at Karrakatta Cemetery (ANGLICAN/WD/0114). | Open PDF |
| 1914-06-10 | CLUNE | Michael | Navvy | Yilliminning | Michael Clune was 25 years of age when he died in a collision of his train with a derailed wheat truck, a travelleing water tank, on which he had been riding, rolled on him. He was the only casualty in the accident. He is interred at Narrogin Cemetery. | Open PDF |
| 1901-07-12 | COLE | Bethel | Ganger | Werribee | Bethel Cole was 44 years of age when his trolley was struck by runaway wagons killing him instantly. Bethel had lost his wife, Ellen Jane (38), about eighteen months before the accident and as a result his six children were orphaned by his death. The Chief Civil Engineer circulated a subscription list to all railway employees for the support of the Cole children. | Open PDF |
| 1930-05-27 | COLQUHOUN | Neil "Sam" | Ways & Works | Subiaco | Neil "Sam" Colquhoun was 64 years of age and employed as a Plumber's Assistant when he was fatally injured while crossing rails at the Central Railway Yard. Neil left his wife, Maud, and his four adult children Molly, Jim, Jean and Bill. Neil lived at Subiaco and is interred at Karrakatta Cemetery. | Open PDF |
| 1937-06-21 | COOPER | Harry | Repairer | Cuballing | Harry Cooper was 36 years of age when he was critically injured as the result of a collision between his Per Way Trolley and the No 140 Up Goods train near cuballing on 21 June 1937. Harry died two days later in hospital. Mr Cooper was an accomplished sportsman, well liked and respected in his community. Harry lived at Beverley with his wife and three young children and he is interred at Karrakatta Cemetery. | Open PDF |
| 1920-04-10 | COPE | Thomas John | Guard | Jarrahdale, Millars T & T | Thomas Cope was 43 years of age when he died instantly after falling under wagons loaded with logs at Millars' Mill. Thomas Left his wife, Ada, and their five children Ruby, Ernest, Athol, Jean, and Mary. Thomas was interred at Jarrahdale Cemetery. | Open PDF |
| 1925-08-07 | COSTELLO | William John | Labourer | Lake Grace | William Costello was 26 years of age when fell he from a ballast train and was run over. He died instantly. William was a serviceman (Flight Leiutenant - British Air Force) in the Great War. He had no relatives in WA and was interred in the Lake Grace Cemetery. | Open PDF |
| 1968-11-28 | COUTTS | Noel | Tractor Driver | Mt. Newman Railway | Noel Coutts was driving a tractor on a railway embankment. At about 10:40pm when executing a three point turn the rear wheels went over the embankment, overturning the tractor and pinning him under it. DMP Ref. FS-MG-800-313 | Open PDF |
| 1915-01-12 | CROZIER | James | Fettler | Hannan Street | James Crozier was struck by the locomotive of a train as he attempted to remove his tricycle from its path. James did not appear to be seriously injured and was taken to his camp, however, he was later admitted to hospital where he died from internal injuries. James lived in Kalgoorlie and was interred at the Kalgoorlie Cemetery. | Open PDF |
| 1902-09-01 | DARE | Alfred | Porter | Perth | Alfred Dare was 33 years of age when he suffered fatal injuries as he crossed between carriages being shunted at Perth Station. Alfred lived in Perth and is interred at Karrakatta Cemetery (BAPTIST/AA/010) | Open PDF |
| 1981-12-22 | DARRIGO | Salvatore | Ganger | Hines Hill | Jeffrey Biggers, Salvatore Darrigo, John Mather and John Vanden Herik were all killed when their gang was struck by a train at Hines Hill. | Open PDF |
| 1946-10-20 | DAVIES | Mervyn | Shunter | Merredin | Mervyn Davies, a returned serviceman, was 21 years of age when he died as the result of falling under wagons during shunting operations. Mervyn was single and lived in Merredin. He is interred at the Merredin Pioneers Cemetery. At the time of his death Mervyn was engaged to an english girl who was on her way to WA. | Open PDF |
| 1931-01-27 | DAVIS | William | Repairer | Claremont | William Davis was 48 years of age when he was fatally injured by being rundown by a passing train while doing track work near Claremont Station. Witnesses said that he appeared not to have heard the approaching train. William lived in a railway cottage at the Subiaco station yard with his wife and 10 children, six of whom were totally dependent on him. William is interred at Karrakatta Cemetery (ANGLICAN/NA/0214). A coronial enquiry determined that his death was an accident. | Open PDF |
| 1924-11-26 | DAVY | Leonard | Shunter | Collie | Leonard Davy was 24 years of age when he was fatally injured after falling between wagons while shunting at Collie. He died in hospital about an hour after the accident. Leonard,who was single, lived in Collie after transferring there a few weeks previously from Midland. Leonard was interred at Karrakatta Cemetery (WESLEYAN/BA/0359). | Open PDF |
| 1901-04-20 | DAWS | Samuel | Driver | No.8 Landing, Jarrahdale | Samuel Daws was 27 Years of age when he died as the result of injuries received when his locomotive "Samson" was hit at high speed by runaway wagons at No.8 Landing Jarrahdale. Samuel was married and lived with his wife at Jarrahdale. He is interred at Jarrahdale Cemetery. Samuel was well respected in his community and some 800 people attended his funeral. A coroner's inquest determined that his death was accidental. | Open PDF |
| 1972-01-26 | De GOIS | J. F. | Labourer | Paraburdoo - Tom Price Railway | J. F. De Gois fell from a track maintenance car (road/rail vehicle) at the 224 mile peg on the Paraburdoo-Tom Price Railway. DMP Ref. FS-MG-773-355 | Open PDF |
| 1975-09-08 | DEL NERO | Nicola | Trackman | Kewdale | Nicola Del Nero was 55 years of age when he was struck and killed by a crane at Kewdale freight depot. Nicola lived in Midland and is interred Karrakatta Cemetery (ROMAN CATHOLIC/J/0038). | Open PDF |
| 1982-12-14 | DELFS | Geoffrey Luke | Driver | Avon Yard | Geoffrey Delfs was 60 years of age when he was fatally injured as the result locomotive DB1583 rolling over. Geoffrey lived at Northam with his wife Audrey and he is interred at Northam Cemetery. | Open PDF |
Death or serious injury, in the days before compulsory workers’ compensation insurance, could, and often did, result in the victim’s family being left destitute. The families often had to rely, at least in the short term, on the charity of their community and the generosity of the injured or deceased worker’s colleagues.
Many men, stationed at outlying depots, were faced with such rudimentary medical facilities that an injury which may have been survivable in a large town or city could and often did prove fatal.
Contemporary newspaper reports and edited transcripts of coronial inquiries have been included where they are available. Some photographs of these railwaymen have been made available by descendants and other family members. Other information welcome and can be sent to archivist@railheritagewa.org.au
Caution: Contemporary newspaper reports, particularly those prior to 1920, sometimes contain explicit descriptions of the injuries sustained by the deceased person. Some readers may find these descriptions offensive and in bad taste by today’s standards. However, they reflect the norms of the times and are reproduced as found.