Edward Whitbread - Kolodong, NSW, Australia
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Grahame Cookie
S 31° 53.156 E 152° 26.637
56J E 447412 N 6472073
This tall marble headstone slab is for Edward (Teddy) Langley Whitbread, killed in 1909.
Waymark Code: WM16CJ7
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 06/30/2022
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member ScroogieII
Views: 2

The light gray marble vertical slab has shaped 'shoulders', with a broad 'head' that subtly highlights what appears to be a jockeys cap and a riding crop - being pictorially sadly appropriate to the cause of his accidental death. The headstone is in Woola Cemetery, to the west of Taree, on the New South Wales mid-north coast. The lead-lettering of the inscription reads:

In Loving Memory Of
our dear Son
EDWARD LANGLEY WHITBREAD
Accidentally killed Feby. 12. 1909
aged 20 years
-----
Tho' lost to sight, to memory dear

From couple of genealogy sources 'Teddy' was born in Taree in 1888, and died near Stroud in 1909 (~21yr) Edward Whitbread

From Wikitree, and the Macleay Argus Saturday 20 Feb, 1909:
"A serious accident happened at the Bnllalidollah [sic - Bulahdelah] Jockey Club's meeting on Friday, in which the lightweight jockey, E. Whitbread, met his death. He was - riding Bell Bird in the Flying Handicap, and through the mare falling and- rolling on him sustained injuries from which he died an hour afterwards without re gaining consciousness. The deceased was well-known locally, and had lately been in th3 employ of Mr. John Croad looking after Expectation. He was a son of Mr. Edward Whitbread, of Taree" Teddy Whitbread

From the website, Midcoast Stories:
"Edward Langley Whitbread is buried in Woola Cemetery on the outskirts of Taree. The headstone describes his death on 12 February 1909 as accidental. Look a little closer and you may be able to make out a jockey’s cap and crop incised into the stone.

"A local lad, Teddy Whitbread was born in 1888 and grew up around horses, at one stage working for Mr John Croad of the Macleay region, a well known racehorse and bloodstock owner.

"On the fateful day of his death Teddy was taking part in races organised by the Bulahdelah Jockey Club. “Bellbird”, his mount in the Flying Handicap, stumbled and fell before regaining her feet and bolting. The unfortunate rider was dislodged from the saddle, but caught his foot in the stirrup and was dragged some way along the ground before being dashed against the railings. When removed from the track he was unconscious and died a short time later. His body was removed to Suttons Hotel.

"An inquest held the next day at the Bulahdelah Courthouse found the death to have been purely accidental, with no blame apportioned.

“Bellbird” survived the mishap and went on to race under the name of “Saucy Bell”." Teddy Whitbread

BTW, about a kilometre away is a major thoroughfare by the name of Whitbread Street. So his family may have significant ties to Taree.

The Woola Cemetery is a bit overgrown, as at the time of my visit the region had been having very regular storms and showers, and so the local council wasn't able to access the boggy ground to do their usual grounds mowing. In fact I almost got my car bogged just by letting the passenger-side wheels of my car get off the bitumen when I pulled over - and on careful extraction, my car looked it had a fight with a drunk, mud-drinking elephant!

Address: Woola Cemetery, Woola Road, Taree, NSW, Australia, 2430

Visited: 1520, Friday, 29 April, 2022

Type of Death Listed: Accident

Cause of death inscription on headstone: Accidental - Pictorial - horse racing

Website (if available): [Web Link]

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