Constable William Eiffe, Bendemeer, NSW, Australia
S 30° 52.364 E 151° 09.349
56J E 323695 N 6583046
Just inside the entrance to the Bendemeer Cemetery is a memorial plaque for Constable William Eiffe
Waymark Code: WMWPWM
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 09/28/2017
Views: 3
The plaque reads:
Constable William Eiffe
"Born in Ireland between 1833 and 1834
Roman Catholic, Former Soldier
Emigrated to Australia on 10th July 1857
Joined NSW Police Force on the 11th August 1857
"Constable William Eiffe was stationed at Singleton in 1867 where he resided with his wife Hannah (nee Commer) and four children.
"On the evening of Wednesday the 23rd January 1867, he was on a gold escort moving through the Moonbi Ranges, approximately seven miles from Bendemeer.
"A rain shower had caused members of the escort to retreat into the carriage. Another member of the escort had handed his rifle to Constable Eiffe. He rested the rifle across his thighs with the butt resting against the side of the coach.
"The rifle was a cap and ball style weapon.
"It is thought that the shaking and bouncing of the carriage has caused the rifle to accidentally discharge, shooting Constable Eiffe in the thigh. He was left at a shepherds hut, whilst the coach returned to Tamworth, some thirty miles away.
"Doctor Scott of Tamworth was taken to the hut, but unfortunately Constable William Eiffe had died from the effects of the gunshot around Noon on the 24th January 1867.
"His funeral took place at the Bendemeer cemetery on Friday the 25th January 1867."
The plaque was placed at the 150th Anniversary of his death, with the Oxley District, Acting superintendent, Jeff Budds laying a wreath there. (
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Visited: 1656, Sunday, 23 July, 2017
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