1871 Ten year old boy drowns in Clyde North dam
Inquest
Mr. Candler, on the 3rd inst., held an inquest at Berwick on the body of Robert Sykes, a boy of 10 years, the son of William Sykes, of Cranbourne. The deceased on the 2nd inst. went with others to bathe in a water-hole in Mr. Gibbs's paddock, Berwick, and while he was in his foot slipped, and, getting into deep water, he sank. He rose three times, but was drowned before help arrived. The body was dived for, and recovered in 7ft. of water. The hole was very deep in the centre, and on private property, which was fenced in.
A verdict of accidental death was returned
The Argus, 8 Feb 1871 |
Note
Robert Sykes Family lived in Grices Road, Clyde North. His father, William Sykes, was a successful farmer, a Wesleyan Methodist lay preacher, founding member of the Cranbourne Cemetery Trust and Cranbourne Shire Councillor (1873-1876). The Sykes home, Eyre Court, is listed in the Victorian Heritage data base.
William Sykes was robbed on his way to purchase a ticket to London.
Explanation
inst. = in or of the present month; "your letter of the 10th inst"