Person Page - 1919

Sarah had an obituary in the Bendigo "The Advertiser" on 22 December 1923
CARTER. – The many friends of Mrs. Sarah Ann Carter will regret to learn of her death at a private hospital on Wednesday morning. Deceased, who was 62 years of age, was born at Lockwood and has resided in the Bendigo district all her life. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved husband, two sons and two daughters. The funeral yesterday, to Kangaroo Flat cemetery, was attended by a large number of friends and relatives. The polished casket, covered with floral tokens, was carried to the grave by Messrs. H. Harry, W. Yates, J. Potter, and P. Arnold. The Rev. S. J. Muxworthy held an impressive service at the grave and Mr. W. H. Oakley supervised the funeral arrangements.²

     Residents were shocked on Thursday afternoon last to learn of the serious accident that befell Mr. John Thomas Carter whilst engaged lifting casing at the bore being sunk by the Government Boring Plant at Mr. P. Neilson’s property. It is believed that the accident resulted from the snapping of a guy rope, allowing the tools, weighing in the vicinity of one ton, to fall on Mr. Carter, who was badly injured. Medical assistance was immediately summoned and the unfortunate man conveyed to Gilgandra District Hospital, but the injuries were so serious that he passed away the following day.

     The late Mr. Carter was a well-known and most respected man, and for the past 19 years had bee associated with the Government Boring Plant, having been instrumental in sinking numerous bores in the Dubbo, Gilgandra, Gulargambone and Coonable districts.

     Born at Bendigo (Victoria) 52 years ago, he married at that centre, and first came to these parts about 20 years ago, when for three years he acted as manager for Memsis Estate. He is survived by a widow and two daughters – Mrs. Downey of “Rosewood,” and Miss Raine Carter – to whom sincere sympathy is extended in their tragic loss.

     The accident occurred about 4 p.m. on Thursday, when lifting the casing in the bore to let in another stream so that a test could be made of the supply of water in the bore. As on such occasions, the tools, weighing a ton, were strapped to the mast. One of the guy ropes snapped, throwing the whole of the weight on to the other rope, which also broke under the sudden impulse, which split the mast and allowed the tools to fall on deceased, who had no chance of escape. On arrival of medical assistance it was ascertained that deceased was seriously injured, having sustained several broken ribs in addition to being hurt internally. He was conveyed to hospital. Although he remained conscious for some time, deceased’s was a lost fight, and he passed away on Friday afternoon.

     Deceased had only returned from the Coonamble district, where he completed a bore, three days prior to his death. He was on holidays, but as it was desired to complete the bore at Mr. Neilson’s property, he was asked to give a hand. This he readily agreed to do. Only a fortnight previous to this accident, a man had his hand badly injured at the same bore when casing fell on it.

     The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon from St. Ambrose’s for the Church of England portion of the Gilgandra Cemetery. Bro. Harry Bryson presided at the church service at the graveside. In charge of funeral arrangements was Mr. Ross, Gilgandra.¹