The Crypt Chick

I recently returned from a 9 day stay in Malta. I've visited before but this was my first visit as a self-proclaimed dark tourist.

The History of Malta

In reality, a lot of dark tourism stems from the roots. So, here are a few notable facts about the history of Malta.

Malta has a rich history that stems back to 5000BC. Malta was built on its farming industry. When visiting, you can still see that farming is still a very active part of Maltese culture. In this blog post you will see a brief glimpse of historic settlements on this small but thriving island.
In the early 1800's, Britain ruled Malta for just over 100 years. Today, you can see flakes of British culture scattered across the island. However, Malta still retains its strong heritage.
What about the Maltese Language? It is very interesting! The Maltese language is a Semitic language that was originally Arabic but it has since developed with influence from its western neighbours, Sicily. It is also the only Arabic language to be written in Latin.

A Wide View of St Paul's Catacombs in Malta

Discover: The Catacombs of Malta

To say I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that Malta had its very own catacombs was an understatement. I was completely blown away on my first day here, when I found out that there are a lot more than just 1 catacomb system on the island.

What is a Catacomb?

A catacomb is an ancient resting place that has been discovered over time. They are man-made underground chambers that were used back in the day for people to mourn their loved ones. Think of it as an underground mausoleum.

List of Catacombs in Malta

Research suggests that there are hundreds of Catacombs in Malta. Though only a select few are openly publicised. All prices were recorded in December 2024.

St. Paul's Catacombs, Rabat - Visited - You can find real bones here. (€6)
St. Agatha's Catacombs, Rabat - Located over the road from St. Pauls - this was unfortunately closed when we visited. However, many reviews state that these are the best! (€5)
Salina Catacombs - Situated in Naxxar (according to its address, but it's actually just outside St. Paul's Bay); this was the first one I visited, it is FREE.
St Augustine's Catacombs – Rabat, Malta. (€4)
Tal-Mintna Catacombs – Mqabba, Malta. - Normally closed, organized tours only.
Ta' Bistra Catacombs – near Mosta, Malta.
St. Cataldus Catacombs – Rabat, Malta

Modern Burials in Malta

The island has a collective range of cemeteries decorated beautifully with statues and wonderful architecture. I have visited various cemeteries around the world - with Italy being the location of the first cemetery that fascinated me.

With Malta's rich connections to the England and Italy, I was intrigued to see the connections of both countries and just how it influenced their burial process.

I was very surprised to see that Maltese graveyards were like nothing I'd ever seen before. The cemeteries that I visited were all walled - this is similar to those in Italy. However, the difference was that each family grave was decorated with their own family headstones containing portraits (another common theme in Italy).

This was very interesting to see - most of these were guarded by an angel or statue.

Cemeteries I Visited:

Ta Braxia Cemetery - This cemetery had a lot of English people in it that were mainly buried here during the war. The cemetery was beautifully accompanied by lots of beautiful palm trees and water fountains, all surrounded by a central church - a common theme of Maltese burial sites.
Mellieha Cemetery - A well kept but small cemetery for local burials. Accompanied by a small chapel.
St George Cemetery - Located in Naxxar, this quaint village cemetery is home to a curious feline, who I was lucky enough to get a photo of, whilst he/she was resting on a grave that had probably been warmed by the sun. In this graveyard in particular, I noticed a lot of the same statue.
Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery - I was lucky enough to visit by far the most grand cemetery on the island. This cemetery is huge, its historic, it oozes with character, and it you absolutely need to put it on your list if you are planning a dark tourism visit to Malta. Oh, and just an FYI - The toilets are located in front of the cemetery gates, and it's quite difficult to get to by foot, but we managed it... legally... just about.

General Tourism of Malta

If you are looking for other tourism hot spots, great eateries, bars and picture spots - I will be publishing a post on my travel blog, A River of Roses very soon.

Most Haunted is a TV Show that some would say is a British staple. When I found out that Yvette Fielding and the gang were attending the famous City Varieties - an iconically historic venue - on the ominous night of Halloween... I knew I had to go.

**May Contain Spoilers**

The Venue

The City Variety music hall has a history that dates back to the 1760's. To put that into context, Napoleon Bonaparte was born at the end of this decade, and Mozart was just a 10-year-old child. That is something I simply can't wrap my head around!

the exquisite bar area at city varieties leeds - host for most haunted live

However, it wasn't a theatre back then; that era came later. It was first a coaching in, known as the White Swan Coaching Inn, a name that was later adopted by a local pub up the road. It became a performance hall 100 years later in 1865. Some notable names include, Charlie Chaplin, Houdini, and The Chuckle Brothers.

It must be noted that you have to put City Varieties on your bucket list before you die. This place is breath-taking. Although the exterior looks all swanky and new, stepping foot inside is like a time machine. I felt like I was in the same era as the Titanic.

Most Haunted

Most Haunted was a TV Show that aired intermittently from 2002. The original cast being Yvette Fielding, Karl Beattie, and the controversial Derek Acorah. The team would visit the most haunted places; around the world but mainly in the UK.

In its prime, I remember Most Haunted being the most available access to paranormal TV in the UK - in a time when the internet wasn't really a thing.

There have been many sceptical rumours that the show is faked; I'll let you know my thoughts later in this blog post.

Today, you can find the Most Haunted show, teamed with Yvette and Karl's daughter, Mary on YouTube.

The Show

Little did I know that this show has been going for years. I would say that the venue was the perfect place on this occasion, though I can't speak for others.

Leading up to showtime, we were displayed old photos and video footage of City Varieties - which I thought was a lovely touch and something that was unique to that show.

The cast came out, introduced themselves - showed us some clips from over the years, and had a laugh with each other. Although some reviews stated that the comments were crude, which they were, I also felt like I was having a laugh with friends and joining in conversation - which I wasn't, but it was a very relaxed atmosphere.

Maybe I'm just used to the environment of swearing and crude comments after working with mechanics and motorbikes for 5 years! - I'm not apologising for that comment. If you are a motorcycle mechanic, take it as a compliment.

My Honest Opinions

At the end of the show, some guests were called up to participate in an investigation & a séance. With only about 10 minutes to spare, I felt there wasn't really room for investigation. I have watched various ouija board experiences and paranormal investigations in real life. In my experience, spirits often get put off in a room full of people. Maybe this was different if they are old performers?

Whilst the séance was ongoing, and the investigators were backstage - the audience started experiencing tapping noises excessively - so the investigators were brought back.

After a few minutes of investigating this, most haunted wrapped up the show. It may have very well been the microphones getting turned off, but the tapping seemed to stop after that.

I just want to point out that I am a huge believer of the paranormal, after having my own experiences. However, I'm not sure I believe all of the occurrences on this occasion. I'm also well aware that this is an entertainment show, and it would be terribly boring if nothing happened.

Have you been to see Most Haunted? Or, have you been to the City Varieties? Let me know your thoughts below.

There are many secrets that haunt the streets of Bradford, and the case of the Bradford Sweet Poisoning is one of the most unknown.

The city of Bradford is rich in history. Back in the 7th century, like many, it was an agricultural settlement that eventually progressed into a market town with the main streets being Ivegate, Kirkgate, and Westgate. The city truly developed in the 19th century when it deemed itself as the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution, and this brings us to the story that shook many Bradfordians.

Who was Humbug Billy?

William Hardaker, affectionately and 'professionally' known as Humbug Billy had a sweet stall in Rawson Market. Little is known about William Hardaker, other than the fact that he is buried with many of the others who were involved in this case. The location is the renowned Victorian, Undercliffe Cemetery.

A Sweet Tragedy

On the days leading up to the 30th October 1858, William had noted that he was running low on peppermint humbugs. It was on that fateful day that he decided to place his order.

He made his way over to Stone Street, where he sourced his goods from. Joseph Neal, the owner sent his young lodger, James Archer to collect the ingredients from Baildon Bridge, Shipley. The druggist, Charles Hodgson, was ill on this occasion, so left his new starter in charge.

William Goddard had been working for Hodgson for 2 weeks, and was hoping he would be able to do an apprenticeship. Little did he know that this order would... change his life, let's just say. James Archer requested 'Daft', an adulterated food ingredient that was often substituted for sugar for a mix of sugar, diluted with powdered gypsum.

A Gentle Warning

Goddard was strongly advised not to serve Neal - whether it was because he was inexperienced with adulterated produce, or whether there was some animosity with this customer is unknown. However, Goddard reluctantly convinced Hodgson to give him instructions.

Tragically, due to poor labelling, the wrong product was picked. Daft looked exactly like Arsenic... so how was he to know?!

Some time later the sweets were produced by James Appleton. William collected the sweets and instantly noticed a discolouration. However, despite refusing the order, he simply complained at the green tint, and received a partial refund.

The Humbug Hours of Horror

Humbug Billy returned to his stall and continued his sales. Later in the day, what is now West Yorkshire Police (possibly Bradford Police back then) responded to reports of illnesses and deaths amongst children and adults in the district. Initially, they thought it was Cholera, but upon further inspection of Dr John Henry Bell, it was noted that all of the victims had recently consumed Peppermint Humbugs.

The investigation didn't take long to conclude where they came from, and renowned pharmacist, Felix Rimmington was able to confirm the ingredients.

Was this planned, or simply an accident?

Many people over the years have called Humbug Billy a killer. I personally think this is a tricky one - I do believe that it was an accident, but then on the other hand it seems quite bad timing, since it was Halloween...

At the end of the day, 21 lives were lost, and over 200 people were left ill - some with life threatening illnesses, including William Hardaker himself.

Unfortunately records of the victims were never kept. I usually like to commemorate them by researching their lives, but sadly was unable to at this time.

Do you think Humbug Billy deliberately killed those people, or was it just a tragic accident? Let me know in the comments.

Australia has 6,300 cemeteries; of course, it would be impossible to cram a visit into all of them over the course of a year and a bit. Without counting specifically, I think I visited around 30 on my stay here.

Today, we're going to look at some of the most notable, picturesque, and quirky cemeteries that I visited, and one for good luck.

1 - Old Ingham Cemetery

We are starting off strong with my personal favourite cemetery in Australia, Old Ingham Cemetery. Although statistics say that the first recorded burial here was in 1888, Find a Grave shows us that the oldest death date here was in 1808.

Queensland's Old Ingham Cemetery contains many figures of Irish and Italian heritage. This is where my interest peaked. If you've read my about me page, you will know that my interest in cemeteries started in Monfalcone, Italy, where my mother's side of the family are buried, now including my grandparents who lived most of their lives here in Bradford, UK.

The graves in this Australian cemetery strongly reflected aspects of the Italian cemetery, but it was more contained, and I thoroughly (and emotionally) very much enjoyed my visit.

2 - Walhalla Cemetery

My trip to this cemetery was inspired by a TV show that I was watching at a hotel in Brisbane. The show focused on the town of Walhalla, and briefly touched on the ghost that haunted the cemetery. "I need to go there", was my instant response. Thankfully this town wasn't far from the route we were taking on our trip, and I am SO grateful that I got to go.

This cemetery has been around since the 1860's, just 10 years after the town itself was founded. But my golly, what a beautiful place this is - as I keep saying, it's like it was taken straight from Switzerland!

3 - Leonora Cemetery

I visited Leonora Cemetery after my trip to the Gwalia Ghost Town. Admittedly, I don't know why, but I didn't expect the souls of the Sons of Gwalia Mine to be resting here. That is exactly why this has made it onto my list.

These grounds don't contain any breath-taking monuments, but they do state the cause of death. In some cases, this gives you an insight into that person's life, which I'm all for, as heart-breaking as some of them are.

4 - McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery

Situated in Cairns, Queensland is the McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery. Established in 1887, this is known to be the oldest modern cemetery in Cairns, and it has some interesting people in here. Unfortunately, none of them appear to have the surname McLeod.

One notable grave to visit in this cemetery is that of George Lawson. But first, you will have to pay a visit to Yorkey's Knob - a place that he founded. Sadly, I only noticed Lawson was buried here when I left Cairns.

5 - Fremantle Cemetery

A graveyard located in quite easily my most favourite town in Western Australia. I was instantly quite drawn to Fremantle during my 16 months here. One of my first visits granted me a visit to The Roundhouse, and I later toured Fremantle Prison - both very rich in convict history... evidently.

Fremantle has some impressive monuments. Included is a particular entrance that leads to the grave of former AC/DC frontman, Bon Scott. This was the first grave I have ever witnessed that was populated by visitors other than myself.

6 - St Mary's Busselton

Upon first glance, this is just an ordinary church burial ground. However, when you research each grave, you'll soon find that the majority are all connected, one way or another.

This is the final resting place of the Bussell family. Another fun fact is that St Mary's Anglican church is the oldest stone church in WA - it was first consecrated in 1848.

7 - West Terrace Cemetery Adelaide

My visit to West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide, my aim was to find the grave of The Somerton Man - an unknown murder victim. Little did I know (because I never research prior, just after) that this gentleman had recently been exhumed for identity testing. Also, the University of Adelaide say they are absolutely sure that the gentleman has been identified as Carl Webb, 73 years after he was found.

Sadly we got to this cemetery pretty late, so we didn't have much time to look around. However, I recommend visiting this incredible place.

8 - Bendigo Cemetery

Bendigo wasn't on my list at all when travelling around Australia. However, would you believe that a toilet break brought us here? Whilst driving there, we drove past Bendigo - so I knew I had to go back here.

When I paid it a visit, I came across the grave of William Napier, who wasn't only a native of Bingley, my hometown, but he also had a Victorian Cross! It's things like this that remind me why I absolutely love discovering graves.

9 - Pinnaroo Cemetery

When I first visited this place, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for. Pinnaroo Cemetery is one of the most unique burial grounds I have ever had the pleasure of experience. This place is HUGE!

At Pinnaroo Cemetery you will find:

A section for natural burials
A beautiful pond
Lots of beautiful gardens
A memorial space for murder victims
...and most importantly, at least 100 kangaroos.

10 - Shalom Cemetery

I couldn't put this list together without mentioning Shalom Cemetery. This was the first pet burial ground I have ever visited. I initially thought I would just find dogs here, but to my surprise there was also cats, ferrets, lizards, just to name a few!

australia shalom pet cemetery cat ornament on grave

11 - Karrakatta Cemetery

Regretfully, I never had the chance to visit Karrakatta Cemetery, but it is on my list for when I return. I think this cemetery popped up when I had left the country. I noticed just how incredible it was, and the most heart-breaking of all is that it was only a 30 minute walk from Kings Park in Perth!

Do you have any graveyards to add to the list? Leave a comment below!

Don't forget to include a notable grave!

If you are a true history fanatic, like me, then you will love dark shows! I’ve compiled a list of my favourite dark-themed series, along with some that are on my watchlist.

Today, we will explore the most watch-worthy dark crime and tourism shows perfect for self-proclaimed taphophiles and historians.

1. Dexter

I'm delighted to be able to put this one as #1 on my list. If you've seen this before, and found yourself hooked like me, you'll know it has been gone from Netflix for quite a while.

Upon my return from a 16-month break around Australia in February, I was elated to find out that Dexter was back on my screens!

Dexter is a fictional show about a cop who kills the bad guys, but none of his colleagues know it's him, and he joins in with them to try and 'uncover' who the killer is. It's a great show. I even went through the lengths of trying to source box sets (of which I have a few), but now it's back on Netflix!

2. Dark Tourist

I promise this post isn’t dedicated solely to New Zealand, but it does make me wonder—could New Zealand be the dark tourism capital of the world? **Dark Tourist** follows host David Farrier as he travels the globe to discover burial sites, paranormal tales, and other dark tourism hotspots that reveal the eerie side of travel.

3. Wednesday

You’ve probably heard of Wednesday, a dark and quirky take on the Addams Family. This modern adaptation follows Wednesday Addams, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, with Christina Ricci returning as a new character, Marilyn. It’s a delightful blend of dark humour and gothic themes.

4. The Ripper

The Ripper is a fictional adaptation of the true crime story that shook Bradford, West Yorkshire—my hometown. This series follows the dark events of the 1970s when the Yorkshire Ripper was at large, claiming the lives of 13 women in West Yorkshire and Manchester. If you follow my Instagram, you might recall my visits to the graves of many victims, where I shared their stories. You can find these posts in my Instagram Highlights.

5. Exhibit A

On my wish list is Exhibit A, a compelling series that examines the dark side of the justice system. This 7-episode show focuses on the lives of innocent people wrongfully convicted of crimes. It’s not directly about death, but it certainly explores the darker aspects of human experience.

6. Surviving Death

Surviving Death looks to be a heart-wrenching series that follows individuals who have narrowly escaped death from severe illnesses. It serves as a gentle reminder of life’s fragility and encourages us to cherish our loved ones.

7. Captive

This thrilling series, Captive, tells the true story of Brian Nichols. As a true crime enthusiast, I’m intrigued by this case, and I’m excited to learn more—either by watching or researching to avoid spoilers!

8. Long Lost Family

As part of my routine when visiting graves, I enjoy doing research, making shows like Long Lost Family particularly appealing. This ITVX special, hosted by Davina McCall & Nicky Campbell, uncovers long-lost family histories and delves into the darker aspects of family secrets.

9. Secrets of the National Trust

My knowledge of the National Trust is a bit lacking, but I often find myself curious about their historic sites, many of which have dark and fascinating histories—just like myself! (I joke—my next-door neighbor is a member, though).

10. Time Team

Finally, I’ve recently come across Time Team, a Channel 4 show that dives into the archaeological discoveries across Britain. The series unearths older Britain, revealing dark secrets from the past.

BONUS: The Casketeers

When I started writing this list back in 2023, I was already on my third round of watching this series. I was disappointed to learn that, in the UK, it’s no longer available on standard Netflix subscriptions. But we all know that content comes and goes on Netflix, so I’m holding out hope that it will return someday. This show documents the daily life at Tipenie Funeral Home, offering a light-hearted perspective on an industry often viewed as dark and depressing.

These are just a few incredible dark shows to add to your watchlist. Have you seen any of these? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

The name Gwalla is a title given to the new town of Northampton, and it seems only the residents may know of its history. However, this remote little town holds an interesting history.

A Quick History of Gwalla

Not to be confused with the ghost town of Gwalia, Gwalla, or Northampton, is located North-West of Western Australia, 52km North of Geraldton. When visiting the town, you may see signs diverting you to the location of the old cemetery. This, of course, drew me in. However, why can't you find this place on maps? I haven't quite figured that one out yet - but, I have put a request in!

Gwalla was an old copper mining town that first opened in 1859. In the grand scheme of things, that ain't too long ago. Upon visiting the graveyard, I noticed the large tomb of Joseph Horrocks. He provided the funding for the mine along with George Shenton. The mine provided a large population of workers from Cornwall, England.

In 1864 the nearby Wanerenooka Mine joined together to create the larger residential town of Northampton. Gwalla mine was closed for many years. However, it was opened again in 1907 to provide water for the town, and continued to thrive until the 1980's when it was closed again.

Gwalla Church & Cemetery Ruins

I mentioned earlier that a large tomb rested on the cemetery grounds. Of course, the cemetery was the first place I visited here, and I had no idea who it was at first, as there was no inscription on the tomb! However, upon exiting the graveyard I noticed an information board, so I went to have a look to find out that it was the grave of Joseph Horrocks. Horrocks also built the church in 1864 in an effort to cater for 'all religions'.

The tomb of Joseph Horrocks in Gwalla Cemetery

Unfortunately, the church closed its doors for the last time in 1917 and sadly fell to ruin soon after.

Further research from a Tripadvisor review tells me that a plaque once stood on the wall of the tomb, in a picture taken in October 2020.

Who was Joseph Horrocks?

Lancashire-bred Joseph Lucas Horrocks was born on November 18th 1803. He was the first son of William Horrocks and Jane Smith. Joseph had 5 sisters and 3 brothers. He was known to be a father of 3 with a wife named Mary, though it seems his family did not join him in Australia.

Working Life

Later in his life, in the 1850's he was listed as a businessman in Manchester, under the name of Horrocks, Schaer and Co. The nature of this business was producing and selling chemical products.

On March 22nd 1851, Horrocks pleaded guilty in a defrauding attempt of £430 9s 7d. This would amount to over £34,518.45 today. In fact, this wasn't the only time Horrocks was caught for forgery. To make it a bit easier, I've made a table below.

joseph horrocks forgery in 2017 equivalent gwalla

During his business-man era, he also went into partnership with a London-based company, Gustav Kober and Co. Unfortunately I couldn't find any information on this.

The Move to Australia

Joseph Horrocks was convicted to 14 years in prison. On October 30th 1851 he boarded a ship called The Marion, with 280 other convicts heading to Western Australia. He arrived on January 30th and somehow convinced people that he was a medical professional. This resulted in him securing a job in the medical field at Fremantle's Prison.

lynton convict center hospital near gwalla

This job later opened an opportunity at the Lynton Convict Depot, a place that we also unknowingly visited! His salary here was limited to £20 a year due to his limited qualifications.

Settling in Gwalla

In 1859 he met with George Shenton Sr to discuss the possibility of building a mining town on 100 acres of land. It was in this discussion that Gwalla was born.

Joseph's last commission was to build a schoolhouse and garden. Construction started in 1863. Sadly, Horrocks wouldn't be around for the completion after he passed away in Wanerenooka on October 7th 1865 at the age of 61. The school was completed in 1866 and the town was later renamed Northampton.

Located in London, Highgate Cemetery is one of the highest-class cemeteries in Europe. It is also the final resting place of many notable names. Amongst them are lots of eye-catching gravesites, with names that may not be familiar to some.

Today, I'm going to go through some of the graves that you must visit; some that I visited myself, and some that I missed on my just-short-of-one-hour trip.

1. The most visited tomb in Highgate

I was honest on my Instagram post, so I'll be honest here. When I visited Highgate, I'd heard about his grave, being the most visited one at this cemetery, but I didn't have a clue who he was.

The Grave of Karl Marx

Marx's original grave is a short distance away. There was a new tomb created that was much larger, you could tell it a mile off. I'll be honest, I had a little giggle to myself when I saw it as I was struggling to find it!

2. The quiet resting place of George Michael

I didn't picture George Michael's grave. However, it was very easy to find. George is located in a peaceful spot next to his mother. His gravesite requests no photographs. Unlike others who rudely disrespect his final wishes, I honored this and simply said hello to him.

The beautiful grave of the Uzielli Family

3. Uzielli Family Tomb

I had no idea who this is. Esther wasn't a movie icon or famous singer. Her grave, however, was so beautiful that I had to screenshot my video just to share it on my page! There are lots of little intricate statues dedicated to this beautiful Italian family.

4. The Dog of Highgate

Unfortunately, I couldn't find this grave. I don't believe it was listed on the map that we had, and we only had an hour so I couldn't find it on my speedwalk around the cemetery. I will return one day though, and I'll make sure this one is on the top of my list...

5. The First Grave in Highgate!

...as well as this one too! Elizabeth Jackson was the first person to be interred into Highgate Cemetery. I did have a little look for her grave but I believe it may be nestled beyond the many 'no entry' zones due to unsteady ground. Elizabeth passed away due to consumption aged 36 on May 20th 1839.

6. You're pretty much DEAD

This grave is by far one of the most interesting graves at Highgate Cemetery. It is a simple, but grave reminder that death comes to us all. I didn't know of the artist Patrick Caulfield, or of the works that he created, apart from his final one, but I had to get a picture.

7. The Resting Place of Jeremy Beadle

Jeremy was one of the only people I knew of, of all the graves I visited. He also has a simple but lovely grave, not quite as striking as the above but a nice sentement to a much loved tv presenter.

8. ... Not the McLaren Cars (like I thought)

In highgate cemetery, you too can visit the grave of The Sex Pistols manager, Malcolm McLaren. As I mentioned in my Instagram post, McClaren once dated Vivienne Westwood. It was recently announced on the news that she passed away on December 29th 2022. I suspect she may be buried in Highgate but details have not been raised yet. Keep an eye out on Find a Grave!

9. Nero The Great Lion

This grave took my breath away. George Wombwell isn't a name we hear very often today, but back in the 1800's, it was very well known. Originally, George was a shoemaker who later progressed into collecting exotic animals, later exhibiting a travelling menagerie. Presented above his grave is George's pet lion, Nero.

10. To Infinity and Beyond!

Unfortunately, I couldn't find the grave of Douglas Adams on my visit to Highgate. If you haven't heard his name before, chances are you will have definitely heard of his work. Adams was known for his best selling piece, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. On his graveside you will find a collection of pens donated by devoted fans.

Have you visited Highgate Cemetery before? Let me know which graves you visited below!

If you're a regular visitor to my Instagram, you'll know that a visit to the graveyard is quite common for me, so when I visited the final resting place of Robert Tennant Stowe Wolfe, it was just a normal day. However, my visit to Kenwick Pioneer Cemetery was very spontaneous. I think I'd gone two weeks without a visit to the graveyard. I'm from Yorkshire and Australia was a new country, I just wanted to visit the closest cemetery and this one was it!

A Sparse Cemetery with Few Graves

At first glance, I could see that Kenwick didn't have many graves at all. What I usually do in this instance is get a picture of EVERY grave just in case there are any missing from Find a Grave, and I'll do some research on a few. I didn't know any history of Robert or his family until a few days after I got back to my partner's family's house where we are staying.

Image Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/134401356/robert-tennant_stow-wolfe

Robert Tennant Stowe Wolfe: A Back Story

Lieutenant Robert Tennant Stowe Wolfe was born August 20th, 1858 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. His parents, Robert and Isabella married 2 years prior to the birth of their son. However, the family isn't actually South African. Robert's mother Isabella was born in Nuneaton, England in 1826. His father, Robert was born in South Africa to a Dublin-born father and his mother was from Sri Lanka; he was one of 13 children.

Robert spent a part of his childhood in England when at the age of just 2, his younger sister Alison was born in London.

The Move Down Under

Just putting it out there that this paragraph was very testing to research. There is a lot of information online that tells us Robert moved to Australia with the Durack Family, but in most cases, that is as far as I got. However, with a little persistence, I found that Robert moved over with the family of pastoral pioneer, Patrick Durack. In 1886 Wolfe wrote in a diary whilst he was traveling on a boat with his Aboriginal Australian servant, Gobo.

The Naming of Wolfe Creek Crater

Is the penny starting to drop now? This honestly blew my mind when I found it! Shortly after the Wolfe had landed in Aus, he made his way to start working in Halls Creek as a digger/prospector and Storekeeper. It was whilst he was here that he was made Chairman of the Kimberley Goldfields Road Board. Wolfe Creek Crater is far from new. It is believed to have been there for over 300,000 years. However, Robert made such an impact on the gold mining industry, that they decided to name the crater after him!

Robert Wolfe: Life Behind the Bar

Robert got his license to serve alcohol in 1901. I often look at the Australian Outback and the buildings sometimes remind me of the Wild West. It certainly doesn't help things when I see the name of some of the public houses run by the man himself...

Kia Ora Wine Saloon - Step Aside Rita, or come in for a drink... well you can, but it's not there anymore. This building once stood at 21 Claisebrook Road.
Newcastle Wine Saloon

Robert Wolfe Settles Down... or tries to

Let's rewind a bit and I'll tell you about Robert's love life. In 1891 Robert marries his first wife Vivian. The pair may have had a daughter named Dorothy 2 years later. This marriage lasted 7 years until Vivian ran off with a man called Joseph Roberts and they filed for divorce.

Shortly after this, Wolfe met and married Catherine Wilkinson, and they tied the knot in 1889. A newspaper article in 1911 then printed a claim that Robert had attempted to file for divorce. In the article, it shows that Catherine had fled with her mother as she was 'tired of living in the bush'. She then gave a failed promise to return in a fortnight. The divorce request was denied.

I'm unsure what Australian divorce rules are now, let alone back in the day, but Robert managed to marry again. This time the lucky lady was Joan Sylvia Harper. The year was 1914. After two years had passed, the couple birthed a son, James Wolfe who lived until quite recently in 2002 after passing at the age of 86. He is buried in Fremantle Cemetery. Joan's death notice in the newspaper also listed a daughter named Joan.

Did Robert have any children?

An article dated 1909 claims, Catherine was in a targeted attack at her own home. In the article, she claims that her 14-year-old son was home with her, but I still can't find who he is!

Conflicting records suggest that Catherine had a daughter named Irene who was fathered by her previous husband John William West. Catherine married West just 1 year prior to her marriage to Wolfe. Robert was listed as the father of Irene's marriage certificate to Charles Denny. Denny is buried alongside Robert along with Irene and her next husband Frank Pitt.

Fun Facts About Robert Tennant Stowe Wolfe:

Although he was listed as a Prospector, Storekeeper, and Licensee, Robert's primary job title was a farmer. He enjoyed selling pigs, especially the Yorkshire and Berkshire type.
Robert was a busy guy. He also owned City Hotel on Murray Street, Perth! This seemed to be where he did his farming too. I'd love to know what this area looked like in those days!
There is a full discussion on this family tree on Roots Chat - love that site! Check it out here if you're interested.

London's Highgate Cemetery is known for being the resting place for many famous people, but it also has some infamous names, one being John Atcheler. Have you ever heard of him before? I can't say I had before this trip!

John was born in the village of Hockliffe in 1791. During his first job he was employed as a Professional Fighter, one that I believe his peers at the time wish he'd kept.

Before I get into what John Atcheler did for a living, I'm going to go through his family tree a little bit. This is because, many believe that the following grave is for the resting place of himself, but it isn't.

John Atcheler's Family Tree

Firstly, John was the son of John and Mary At the age of just 19, in 1811, John married his first wife by the name of Mary Ann Hewson. It is unknown what happened to Mary, but 27 years later, John went on to marry Margaret. John and Margaret's marriage lasted 22 years.

His third marriage was to Sarah Mansfield, who's remains are located within the grave below. Sarah is buried with their son, John, who died in 1853 at the age of 27. Also buried here are the remains of John's stepson, Henry, who passed away in 1857. Sarah passed in 1859, the same year John married his 4th wife, Victoria Chancellor.

If you would like to see a full scale picture of this grave, please visit my Instagram where I share more about the lives of people buried at Highgate, and the rest of the world!

The Dark Side of John Atcheler

It is no secret that this grave here commemorates a very infamous name of Victorian Britain. When John retired in his career as a Professional Fighter, he sought out a new and very different career; a Horse Slaughterer.

John soon started his training, and within a few weeks, the Atcheler name was soon to be banished from any conversation from locals in the area. He was like the Victorian Voldemort, if you think of it. Soon after graduating from his Slaughter School, John decided to pick up and move his office nearer to the Cattle Market at Kings Cross. It was here that people started to notice John's claims, and specifically his plaque above his office door, reading 'Horse Slaughterer for Her Majesty Queen Victoria'.

... but was he really?

Fortunately for John, making false claims to Royal Warrants would only be made illegal in 1883, this was 16 years after his death. However, there are no official claims of this status and many people in those days did not believe him at all. Although, in his will, this statement was accepted.

The Horse Monument

Sadly, the resting place of Sarah, John (jr), and Henry has become the victim of hate crime over the years. The horses legs have had to be repaired. This is quite sad since John himself isn't actually buried here. He is, however, buried within this cemetery, and on this side (the west). Unfortunately since I only had an hour in the cemetery, I wasn't able to plan very well, but I'm going to save his actual grave for another day and update this page!

This Grade II listed monument is also very weathered. I found it impossible to read, but the power of the internet has provided me with the original listing. Thank you Pet Histories!

“She’s gone; whose nerve could rein the swiftest steed,
whose heart and hand to all in time of need
we’re ready, and with a cheering hope she gave
to soothe the suffering and weak to save”

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