Thomas Westbury - Berrima Cemetery, Berrima, NSW - Graves Mentioning a Cause of Death on Waymarking.com

The Southern Highland News featured articles about the history of bathing in the highlands & an article published on Feb 3, 2014 gave an account of the drowning.

The article, in part, stated:

IN 1875 the Fitzroy Inn, located near the dam, was de-licensed and opened as Oaklands Boarding School for boys. The boys made use of the dam to enjoy themselves and this encouraged others so that it became a popular swimming place for males of all ages.

At that time the majority of people were unable to swim so most bathing, as in a dam, involved staying in water no deeper than where your head was out of the water. Although there must have been some 'close escapes', it was in 1883 that the railway dam claimed its first two victims.

The dam floor had a large rock protruding into it from the northern side, which provided a solid base for people to use their legs to thrust back above the water surface to breathe. The disadvantage was that the sloping rock shelf led them imperceptibly into deeper water, where they must either swim or drown. One Saturday in December 1883 Thomas Westbury aged 26 years, a married man with three children, and Charles Bridger aged about 18 years met their deaths there by drowning. The inquest was told that a young man, Jim Ryan, pulled Bridger off the rock playfully and then into deeper water. They kept jumping up and down as they went out of depth, and Bridger's head went underwater and he commenced to struggle.

Westbury, who had been swimming earlier, went to their assistance and was successful in getting Ryan clear but Bridger, in some manner, got on Westbury's head and they both sank and, sadly, drowned.

The headstone is worn but details can be found on the Southern Highlands Cemetery Register, (visit link)

The headstone is worded:

Sacred to the Memory of Thomas Westbury who lost his life at Nattai Dec 16th 1883 whilst endeavouring to rescue two drowning men. Aged 26 Years. He leaves a wife and three children to mourn their loss. A husband kind a father dear a faithful friend lies buried here. In saving them he was lost.

Type of Death Listed: Accident Website (if available): [Web Link] Cause of death inscription on headstone: Not listed

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