This particular miner is special to our family because he is my husbands Great Grandfather. He also has the same name as his own Dad. When my father in law, Bobby Sharp, was alive we would often go to the Boulder Cemetery and ‘Tidy Up’ grandad. Yesterday my husband Norm and I went out to the cemetery on the anniversary of Roberts death and weeded and spread some new quartz rocks. Sadly the two lovely Immortelles’ that were on the grave have been removed. They had been there since his death and one still had the card inside from his wife.
Robert Corbett Sharp (The 1st) married Elizabeth Florence JAMES, a young girl from Madron in Cornwall, England. Its not clear how she came to meet Robert but they eventually married in Port Augusta South Australia. Robert himself was born in Gwaler South Australia, in the Barrosa Valley in 1865. His father had the bakery shop in the town.
Robert and Elizabeth were to have six children before he was tragically killed on the 18th August 1910 at the Great Boulder. He had been moving a large pallet of logs when one fell and struck him him the chest causing a fatal heart attack.
Kalgoorlie Miner 20 Aug 1910
His children were:- Andrew Richard born 1890, Leslie born 1895 (my husband’s Grandfather), Alfred William (Fred) born 1897, Eva Eileen Thelma born 1905, John Jack Reginald born 1909 and Beatrice Lillian born 1900
Western Argus 22nd Aug 1911 – In Memory
SHARP.-In loving memory of our dear husband and father, Robert Corbett Sharp, who died suddenly on the Great :Boulder Mine, August 18th, 1910.”
We little thought your time on earth,
So short with us to remain,
Nor when from home you went,- .
You would’never return again.
Peaceful be they silent slumber,
Peaceful in thy grave so low,
Thou no more will join our number;
Thou no more our song will know. –
Yet again we hope to meet thee,
When the day of life is fled,
And in heaven with joy-to greet thee
Where no farewell tears are shed. –
Inserted by his loving wife and family.
