Tales from the Grave

Elizabeth Robinson's headstone in the Brooklyn cemetery, in the very most northern bounds of Sydney, is a small affair and she shares it with her husband, John, who died in 1946. Headstone for Elizabeth Robinson in Brooklyn cemetery. Photo Samantha Elley What stands out for Elizabeth, however, is it states she was "killed railway smash 20th January, 1944". Digging deeper into Trove ( trove.nla.gov.au ), a search for "Brooklyn railway disaster" or "Brooklyn rail smash" brings

At four feet and five inches, grandmother Caroline Grills would be one of the last people to be suspected of serial murder but, sadly, she became known for her notorious cups of tea, cakes and biscuits. Born Caroline Mickelson around 1888 to parents George and Mary (nee Preiers), Caroline grew up in the Balmain area of Sydney. She went on to marry Richard William Grills and they had five sons and a daughter. Unfortunately, two of their boys would die young. Caroline 'Aunty Ca

"This tribute is a reminder that behind every name carved in stone is a life worth knowing." When teacher Clare Dorey got her students to research a veteran each for Year 10 History, it gave her an idea. "When I left that school, I decided to do some research of my own," she said. As part of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, Clare applied for and received a grant through Veterans SA and that is how her book, Stories from Stone: Honouring Mount Barker's WWII Me

The sacrifice of the Watherston family is considered one of the greatest regarding Australia's involvement in the Great War. Their tragic story, however, starts in 1896 where a strong westerly wind is blowing across the waters just off Boston Island, near Port Lincoln, South Australia. In a flat-bottomed boat, heading to a cutter, is married couple James and Isabella Watherston with one of their five sons. James and Isabella Watherston. Courtesy Findagrave. A heavy sea strike