Bill Parkes—Old “Red

Bill”

There passed away, some time ago, up on the Edie Creek goldfield, a fine character known to all old-hands as “Red Bill.” Bom at Echuca, Victoria, he drifted around many of the mining fields of Australia, and was one of the earliest miners on Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie, in W.A, He was early on the Yodda and Lakekamu gold fields, in Papua, and he walked overland to Edie Creek when that field was discovered.

I was in Rabaul on one occasion and was told that Bill was in Namanula Hospital. I called on the patient. I was ushered in by one of the nurses and, after a breezy welcome, and in reply to my enquiry as to how he was getting along, he went into detail, as follows: “You see, Frank, it’s like this. I’ve never been in one of these places before—not where there were women in charge. By cripes, they’re the ones to straighten you up. I said to the Matron yesterday, What about a drink, Matron ? She looked at me for a while, as if considering, and I began to feel quite hopeful. Then she said; ‘No, I don’t think you’d better have one. I’m very sorry.’ By cripes, she wasn’t half as sorry as poor Old Bill.”

I offer this belated epitaph to a good, straight old-timer, with a cheery smile and a keen sense of humour.

WE miss his frame so gaunt and thin.

His winning breezy style, The humorous stories he could spin, His pleasant friendly smile.

Now we will never see him more— He’s climbed his last long hill— And he has paid his final score, Our good old mate, Red Bill.

A miner of the good old sort, Beloved by all the crowd — A tough, hard-living game old sport, Of whom we all were proud.

When he had lots of cash to spend He’d never put on frill!

A sticker as a mate and friend Was cheery old Red Bill.

His oldest friends who knew him best Will miss him most of all, And when they take their final rest, They hope he’ll make a call.

To hear him tell a cheery tale Would all your worries kill: A tonic, it would never fail When told by old Red Bill.

Now he has left this land of gold Some better fields to try.

His final swag he’s quietly rolled — To mining said “Good-bye.”

Good luck to him —where-e’er he go— To the brim your glasses fill — Be he above or down below, The Best to old Red Bill!

Fprank Pryke.