Rookwood Cemetery Discoveries

  Coming from a family of seafarers with both his grandfather, his father's grandfather, four grand-uncles and about a dozen cousins being master mariners the subject of this week's blog was destined for a life at sea. WILLIAM CARGILL William was the second son of Captain John Cargill of Aberdeen Scotland and his wife, Mary (nee Duthie). Amongst his many accomplishments at sea, his father had the honour of commanding the Royal Yacht to Aberdeen when Queen Victoria made her first visit to Balmoral in September 1848. William, at the age of 13, accompanied his father during his winter vacation, on the City of London steamship in November 1854 when a terrible storm burst in the harbour of Balaclava where many vessels are destroyed on the rocks. The City of London, under steam, slipped her cable and stood out to sea escaping the battering without any loss. William was not put off by this disastrous event and three years later entered his naval career. He commenced with time on...

  There are many murderers and victims buried in Rookwood. Most of the murderers lie in areas that have been allowed to return to nature, but many are lying in amongst their victims such as Stuart Briggs who I mentioned in this blog a few weeks ago. His poor unfortunate victim lies but a few plots away. But what of the plots where both the murderer and the victim (or victims) are all buried together. I often wonder what nocturnal activity abounds in the area.... Today's blog highlights two of these tragic tales. VICTOR EDWARD ROBINS Victor was born in October 1887 to John and Margaret Robins, the second last of their seven children. Victor was a part owner of the family run shoe manufacturing business which operated under the name of J Robins in Leichardt, commencing operations in 1911. He was known to be a of a quiet disposition. It seems that from August 1914, Victor showed signs of depression and odd behaviour so much so that his wife Elizabeth confided to her sister Nel...