Massacre at St George Ranges, Fitzroy River, West Kimberley

Date: 14 Aug 1896
Place: St George Ranges, Fitzroy River, West Kimberley
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
In May 1896 police reported that groups of Aboriginal people, possibly the Unggarangi people on the flat Fitzroy River floodplains, attacked the manager of Noonkanbah Station, William Cox, and stole firearms, and that Noormandie (aka Albert) and Darbelin speared a boundary rider named Duncan. Sub Inspector Craven Ord, along with native assistants and PC Phillips, went after the offenders on 27 July 1896. PCs Pilmer and Nicholson from Fitzroy Crossing joined up later. After tracking them for over ten days they came upon the group and killed three unnamed individuals, the rest escaping into the 'almost inaccessible stronghold in the St George's Range'. They continued tracking the group until 14 August when they surprised them in a dawn raid and 'dispersed the mob', killing six and wounding two although 'the alleged ringleaders escaped punishment' (SROWA, Cons. 430, File 2301/96).
Notes:
CorroborationRating: ***
LanguageGroup: Bunuba, Nyikina, Unggarangi
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 9

People involved

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Sources

  • 'Native Troubles on the Fitzroy,' West Australian, August 21, 1896, p 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3098102; WAPD, Telegram to Commissioner of Police from Sub Inspector Ord. 7 August 1896, SROWA, Cons. 430, File 2301/96; McGregor, 1985, pp 103-122; McGregor, 1993, pp 63-82; Muecke, et. al, 1985, pp 81-100; Owen, 2016, pp 326-330.

Event mentions

  • Massacre at St George Ranges, Fitzroy River, West Kimberley
    14 Aug 1896 — St George Ranges, Fitzroy River, West Kimberley — massacre
    In May 1896 police reported that groups of Aboriginal people, possibly the Unggarangi people on the flat Fitzroy River floodplains, attacked the manager of Noonkanbah Station, William Cox, and stole firearms, and that Noormandie (aka Albert) and Darbelin speared a boundary rider named Duncan. Sub Inspector Craven Ord, along with native assistants and PC Phillips, went after the offenders on 27 July 1896. PCs Pilmer and Nicholson from Fitzroy Crossing joined up later. After tracking them for over ten days they came upon the group and killed three unnamed individuals, the rest escaping into the 'almost inaccessible stronghold in the St George's Range'. They continued tracking the group until 14 August when they surprised them in a dawn raid and 'dispersed the mob', killing six and wounding two although 'the alleged ringleaders escaped punishment' (SROWA, Cons. 430, File 2301/96).
    Source: 'Native Troubles on the Fitzroy,' West Australian, August 21, 1896, p 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3098102; WAPD, Telegram to Commissioner of Police from Sub Inspector Ord. 7 August 1896, SROWA, Cons. 430, File 2301/96; McGregor, 1985, pp 103-122; McGregor, 1993, pp 63-82; Muecke, et. al, 1985, pp 81-100; Owen, 2016, pp 326-330.