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| My Cornish World |
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Page 1 of 2 Keith Bailey, Kadina, South Australia Tell us about your connection with Cornwall? I had never given much thought about ancestors or where they came from, until I was surprised to learn while working on a history of the town of Kadina and its neighbouring Wallaroo copper mine, that my great great grandfather William Bailey had originated from Cornwall and worked as a miner at Wallaroo. William and his family migrated from Camborne to South Australia in November 1840. This was a move that must have meant a sad farewell; William left behind his siblings John and Samuel of Tolcarne Street. Although the family’s arrival in Australia was before the discoveries of copper ore at Burra and Kapunda, William had no trouble finding work at the Willunga slate mine, south of Adelaide. When gold was found in the Adelaide hills, he moved from mine to mine until the substantial Kapunda mine opened. William then utilised his skill and knowledge of blacksmithing to go into business in the township of Kapunda. After moving to Kadina in 1864, William died from bronchitis.  Keith is standing in front of the former Harvey's Engine House at Wallaroo Mines. Installed in 1876, the engine worked non-stop until 1935, when electricity replaced steam at the mine as the motive power for its machinery. When did you last visit Cornwall? The more I delved into the Bailey family history the greater became my desire to visit Cornwall to find out more. After struggling with my own research, John Harris of Lanner managed to trace the Beally/Bayly/Bailey family back eight generations to 1667. The one disappointment is that I have never been able to find any existing relatives still living in Cornwall. If anyone thinks they have a connection I’d love to hear from them. Before I left Australia on my first visit I’d heard the saying ‘Its like coming home when you visit Cornwall’ and I really believe that now. I’ve made contacts and two good friends – mining historian Joff Bullen of Camborne and Kerrier councillor Rex Sadler. My last visit was in 2004, after returning to the UK from a 60th anniversary commemoration ceremony in France. This was for an Australian bomb aimer killed during a raid on a German army camp when his RAF Lancaster was shot down. I had previously compiled a book on the crew’s fate and through this arranged a get-together of their family members from Australia, England and Canada at a graveside ceremony in France. I consider this one of the most satisfying things I have done in my life.  Young floral dancers at the Kernewek Lowender, 2007. |
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