Every person on the WAVMM has their own story but the families who are left behind also have their story to tell. I was recently sent in the following by Julie Knott on the 20th anniversary of the death of her husband, Raymond John Knott, in a mine accident. To everyone who has lost someone I am sure you will be able to relate to her story. Thank you Julie.♥
Raymond John (Ray) Knott
Ray was one of the ‘Children of the Lost Empire’. Being one of the many thousands that were shipped to Australia. All were told that they were orphan children on most accounts this was a lie. In Rays case he was put into care in Londonderry (Ireland), as his mother was not well. He was in care for about six years before he was sent to Australia. On arrival, being so young, he went to Kelleberrin until he was old enough to go to Christian Brothers in Tardun. Here the boys worked like slave labour, building the dormitories, buildings and church. He also worked as farm labourer for the Catholic Church. It was a life of servitude to Christian Brothers. At fifteen they were sent to work on church members properties for no or very little pay.
Ray and myself married in 1969. Ray was my husband and father to my three amazing children. Our first daughter born 1970, second daughter 1972 and our son 1977.
Our life together was a struggle at times when we lived in Morawa. Ray worked for the shire council. Western mining came to Morawa were Ray was employed until the mine closed. We were transferred to Kambalda in 1974. Our life went very well, we were able to travel and give the children a good education. In 1987 we moved to Perth for a better life for us and the children. Ray tried working a 9/5 job but was not happy. Once a miner always a miner! He went back to mining being FIFO. It’s a very hard both on him and us as a family. When he was home we made the most of his R&R.
Then on sunny winters day on the 10th July two police officers came to our door to tell me that Ray had been killed in rock fall at the Bounty Gold Mine (Eastern Goldfields). My whole world stopped. After two inquests and a court case, we as a family, tried to come to terms with our loss. In 2005 we started looking in earnest for Rays family (freedom of information was then opened). Through the Margret Humphries Foundation we were able to meet with a social worker from the UK and Ireland.
In time his extended family were found and by late 2006 his four sisters had been found. Early in 2007 myself and my three children were able to travel to the UK and Northern Ireland and meet with them. As you can imagine a very emotional time. The uncanny likeness between my children and our UK and Northern Ireland family is lovely. Because of the wrong doing of the church Ray never knew his own family and his place. He was truly a remarkable man. He loved unconditionally he achieved greatness, was a true mate to all those that worked with him.
On closing tomorrow (10th July 2017) it will be twenty years. The pain goes but you grieve for the rest of your life.
Julie Knott
