Ruby DUNKLEY
Name: DUNKLEY Ruby Elizabeth / Hepzibah
Date of Birth: 1893
Birth Location: Footscray, Victoria.
Age at Burial: 20 years
Date of Death: July 19,1913
Death Location: At home, “Summerlea”, Capel.
Date of Burial: July 20, 1913
Denomination: Anglican B
Row/Grave: Row 7 / Grave 91
Grave Transcription:
In Loving Memory of
GEORGE
Beloved husband of
HARRIETT DUNKLEY
DIED 10 TH AUG. 1919
AGED 55 YEARS.
——————————
Also
FREDERICK WILLIAM
Beloved son of the above
DIED 1 ST JULY 1912
AGED 13 YEARS
——————————
And
RUBY
Their beloved daughter
DIED 20 TH JULY 1913
AGED 20 YEARS
Father: George Albert Dunkley born: June 8, 1864, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, England. Died: August 10, 1919. Buried Capel Cemetery.
Married: May 19, 1886, Melbourne, Victoria.
Mother: Harriet Amelia McLeish born: August 17, 1870, Launceston, Tasmania. Died: February 9, 1947. Buried Capel Cemetery.
Grandfather (Father): Henry Dunkley born:1835 Cranford, Northamptonshire, England. Died: Unknown
Married: October 29, 1858, Kettering, Northamptonshire.
Grandmother (Father): Lucy “Sophia” Arthur born: 1837 Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, England. Died: Burial – May 23, 1869, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire.
Grandfather (Mother): Alexander “Sandy” McLeish born: March 22, 1839, Launceston, Tasmania. Died: January 24, 1885, Buried Pentridge Prison Cemetery, Victoria.
Married: September 7, 1859, Launceston, Tasmania.
Grandmother (Mother): Elizabeth Simpson born: 1836 Scotland. Died: March 1, 1882, Buried Melbourne General Cemetery.
Siblings:
Sophia Elvina Dunkley born: 1888 Williamstown, Victoria. Died: November 21, 1927. Buried Capel Cemetery. Married: 1925 Charles Cassimer Babb.
George Alexander Dunkley born: 1891, Footscray, Victoria. Died: March 12, 1945. Buried Yelbeni Cemetery. Married: 1916 Victoria Fitzgerald Conder.
Thirza Netherlea Dunkley born: December 15, 1896, Footscray, Victoria. Died: December 3, 1995. Buried Capel Cemetery. Married: 1919 Edwin Raymond “Joe” Upson.
Frederick William “Bill” Dunkley born: 1899, Footscray, Victoria. Died: July 1, 1912. Buried Capel Cemetery.
Henry Thomas “Brown” Dunkley born: October 20, 1902, Footscray, Victoria. Died: March 1, 1956. Buried Capel Cemetery. Married: 1926 Ursula Roberts Shiel.
Frank Stirling “Pat” Dunkley born: December 23, 1905, Bunbury, W.A. Died: August 4, 1956. Buried Wagin Cemetery. Married: 1933 Vera Treloar.
Alfred Ernest “Alf” Dunkley born: June 17, 1908, Bunbury, W.A. Died: October 17, 1998. Buried Capel Cemetery. Married: 1940 Gwenyth Clarinda Negus.
Unnamed Male Dunkley stillborn: October 31,1910, Bunbury, W.A. Buried Bunbury Pioneer Cemetery.
Occupation: Homeduties, Farm hand
Their Story
Ruby Dunkley was born in 1893, in Footscray, Victoria, at her aunt’s house. She had a big sister Sophia, 5 and a big brother, George, 2. Her parents, George and Harriet were farming in the Rye district in Victoria on a small property that they leased. They grew a variety of vegetables for their own use and to sell, they milked cows and grew hay, and George used his wagon to cart not only their own produce but that of others to help bring in a little more money for his growing family. Ruby got a little sister, Thirza, in 1896 when she was 3. Around this time, it appears the family bought a small farm of their own at Carrum, near the Patterson River.
Ruby started school when she was 6 and walked to school with Sophia and George jnr. Another brother was born in 1899, Frederick William, who the family called Bill or Will. Ruby, along with the other children had jobs to do. Being younger maybe she looked after the chooks and collected the eggs. As she got older, she helped Sophia and her mother milk the cows.
Ruby’s aunts came to visit often. These were her mother’s sisters who lived not far from the Dunkley family. Mother Harriet and the children went to the Presbyterian Church on a Sunday. On a Sunday evening, after dinner, they sang hymns.
In October 1902, another brother was born, Henry Thomas, who they called Brown. There was now six children. The following year there was a wet winter and the Patteson River burst its banks and flooded the Dunkley’s small farm, ruining the vegetable crops and flooding across the paddocks. A short time later, the haystack caught fire and burnt to the ground. George and Harriet decided that their small farm had no room for expansion, so they started looking elsewhere for land. They heard that land was being released for farming in Western Australia. George came to WA and decided this was where the family would have more opportunities. When he went home, they sold their farm. They kept a small herd of cows, a pony, their wagon and all their household possessions. All of these and the family were loaded on the ship “Pilbarra” bound for the port of Fremantle, WA. The seven day journey was not smooth sailing and sea sickness prevailed. Harriet remained in her cabin most of the way. Ruby,11 and Sophia, 16, had to milk the cows on the trip.
Fremantle was not the end of their journey. The family, their animals and possessions were loaded onto the train bound for Wonnerup siding. George knew that farming land was available in the Manjimup district, so this is where the family were headed. He hired 2 big horses to pull the wagon, and they set off through the bush towards Nannup and then Manjimup. Sophia and George jnr. took turns riding the pony and keeping the cattle together. At night a tarpaulin was draped over the wagon and the family slept on the ground underneath. Harriet made sure they were well fed, making damper in the coals of the campfire so they had bread for the next day. Ruby and the other children must have wondered if their adventure would ever end.
When getting closer to the Manjimup district, George rode ahead to see where the family were going to farm. Harriet had the chance to read a local newspaper and saw that Busselton Creamery was opening, giving farmers a market for their milk. She discussed this with George on his return. She wanted to know what was in the district where they were headed, and he told her that there was a siding but not much else. There wasn’t a school for the children. Harriet made the decision to take the children and return to Wonnerup. So, the family went back the way they had come. They leased a small farm on the Sabina River, with a stone cottage to live in. It was 1904.
Ruby, George jnr., Sophia and little Thirza walked to West Street in Busselton to attend school and then walked home again in the afternoon. Ruby and Sophia helped milk the cows before and after school each day. Bill and Brown were too young for school.
In early 1905, there was land available on the Stirling Estate, Capel. George and Harriet had been allocated two blocks, being 28 acres in total. The family once again packed up their belongings and travelled north to their land. It was very low lying near the Capel River. There was a large tuart log which they used as the back wall of the house and the tarpaulin made the roof and other walls. The family spent a winter living in their tent. Harriet had another son, Frank, who they called Pat, in December 1905. Thankfully by the time winter of 1906 arrived the family were living on higher ground where they had built a timber house. There wasn’t a school on the Stirling Estate, so maybe Sophia, 18, helped teach the younger children.
In October 1906, the Stirling State School opened. Ruby, Thirza and Bill walked two miles to and from school each day. Sophia now stayed home helping with the farm and in the house. The girls did the milking and would have helped their mother establish fruit trees and vegetable gardens near the house. George jnr. helped his father and the neighbouring farmers, when there was work available.
Arbor Day was held every year at the Stirling School and the children would plant pine trees in the school grounds. About 1908, Ruby and Thirza planted two Moreton Bay fig trees which still stand today, on Mallokup Road, marking the position of the Stirling School. Brown had started school in 1908, so now there were four Dunkley children attending. The Dunkley family welcomed another son in June, Alfred Ernest. It appears this was Ruby’s last year at school, she was 15 years old. Ruby drew the attention of the author of an article that appeared in the Southern Times, she was noted as a good runner at the end of year picnic.
Ruby and Sophia milked 30 cows, morning and night during the milking season. The milk was chilled down the well and the cream was churned into butter twice a week. Their father George grew potatoes on land near the Capel River and the children had to help plant and then later when the crop had grown, they helped dig the potatoes ready for their own use and to sell. Ruby’s older brother George jnr. left the farm and went to the wheatbelt to work. Her father had become a member of the Capel Roads Board and the Stirling Drainage Committee, so he was often attending to his community commitments.
Ruby’s mother went to hospital in Bunbury for the birth of another baby in October 1910. Sadly, the baby boy was stillborn, and he was buried in Bunbury Pioneer Cemetery.
Pat started at the Stirling School at the beginning of 1911. Life was not all work for Ruby. Thirza and Ruby were waitresses for the banquet held to celebrate the opening of the new Capel Agricultural Hall in June 1911, and then she and Thirza attended the Ball for the opening of the new hall. The girls, dressed in their ball gowns would have thoroughly enjoyed the occasion and the chance to socialise with the other young people of the district.
Trove Article – Ruby & Thirza at the Ball
In 1912, her father George was elected chairman of the Capel Roads Board. Ruby, 19, and Sophia, 24, were at home on the farm and helping their mother Harriet, little Alf was turning 4. Thirza, Bill, Brown and Pat were attending the Stirling School. In June, Bill complained of a sore foot. Nothing could be seen when his foot was examined, and it was thought it would get better. A few days later Bill’s foot was so sore he found it difficult to walk and he felt unwell. Harriet took him to Bunbury in the cart to see the doctor. He was admitted to hospital and his mother stayed with him. Bill was very unwell, and the doctor treated him, but Bill had developed blood poisoning and died on July 1, 1912. Harriet returned home and the family buried Bill, the following day at the Capel Cemetery.
Ruby and the other children must have felt the loss of their brother Bill and wondered why life could be so unfair. She and the family had to continue with their daily routine of milking and general farming. Her father had been elected as Chairman of the Capel Roads Board and was busy with his duties as well as continuing to develop and clear the farm. George used gelignite to remove stumps and trees on his property. This was common practice in the district. The logs were then sawn for timber and the stumps burnt.
On a cold Saturday morning, July 19, 1913, George put his packet of gelignite on the side of the stove to warm before he took it into the paddock to continue his clearing. The family were all outside attending to the milking and other jobs, only Ruby remained in the house. They all heard the loud explosion that came from the direction of their home and came running to find Ruby lying injured amongst the debris. Children were sent to neighbours for help and into Capel to summon the doctor. The family tried desperately to help and comfort Ruby, but little could be done. She died from her injuries a short time later.
This article appeared in the Bunbury Herald, Tuesday July 22, 1913.
Capel Fatality
YOUNG WOMAN VICTIM.
A TERRIBLE EXPLOSION.
The usual serenity of Capel was rudely disturbed on Saturday morning when an accident occurred which resulted in the death of a young woman named Ruby Dunkley, aged 20 years. It appears Mr. George Dunkley, father of the deceased, wishing to dry some damp gelignite, placed the packet, which was nearly full, on the kitchen stove. Soon afterwards a terrific explosion was heard, and on rushing into the house it was found that Miss Dunkley, who was at the time the sole occupant, had been injured, and was lying on the floor suffering excruciating pain. Both legs were literally blown to pieces, presumably with parts of the shattered stove. The kitchen presented a scene of ruin. So great indeed was the extent of the damage that twisted portions of the galvanised iron roof were found in the yard some distance away. Elsewhere the house bore testimony to the strength of the explosion, windows and articles of furniture in the other rooms being smashed. Dr. Robertson, of Busselton, and Dr. Joel were immediately summoned, and proceeded with all haste to the scene of the disaster, but on arrival it was ascertained the unfortunate victim was beyond human aid and expired at about 12 o’clock. The deceased had made herself very popular in the district, and the accident is the more pathetic in that she was to have been married in a few months’ time. Mr. Dunkley is a farmer, and one of the best-known residents in the district. He was one time chairman of the Capel Roads Board. Much sympathy is felt for the parents of the deceased, who also lost a son about a year ago.
Apparently, Ruby was engaged to be married but we don’t know the name of her fiancé.
Information and Story Compiled by Researcher DC (CDCP Team Member)
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