Eastern Goldfields Miners Memorial at the WA Museum in Kalgoorlie WA
Kenneth “Ken” WILSON
Age at Death39
Date Of Death2 April 1897 : Reg 438/1897
Place Of BirthBendigo, Victoria
OccupationMiner
Western Mail, Fri 9 Apr 1897
Coolgardie Mining Review, Saturday 3 April 1897,
Kalgoorlie Cemetery WA - Photo Danelle Warnock
Name Of Mine On Which Last Employed
Mt Charlotte, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia
Diagnosis or cause of accident
This was the first great mining disaster in the Goldfields. While preparing charges, a candle fell into a box of dynamite and detonators which started to explode. The men ran for and had to climb 300ft of ladders to the surface through billowing dynamite fumes. Though badly affected, the men were able to walk to their camps. The men began dying overnight and the next day. The inhalation of dynamite fumes has the effect of filling the lungs with liquid, making breathing terribly difficult, if not causing suffocation. Those killed were Charles MILSOM, Frank McADAM, John MURPHY, William McGAUCHIE, John WICKCROFT and Ken WILSON.
Place Of Burial
Kalgoorlie Cemetery, Western Australia
Submitted by
David McMillan - Volunteer
MSW
Married
Cause of Death
Mine Accidents
Father
John WILSON
Mother
Christina FINLAYSON
Other Information
Story: The Goldfields First Great Mining Disaster—6 Miners Die
