Local Identities

Sam Pidgeon (c1867-1933) Obituary

The death occurred recently of the late Mr. Sam Pidgeon, a very old resident of the South-West. Mr. Pidgeon was very widely known between Cookernup and Bunbury, and had in his early days a reputation as a horseman. He had been in the district since he was 14, and was 66 when he died. Originally born on Rottnest, where his father was lighthouse keeper, Mr. Pidgeon was brought up in the Swan Orphanage. He had a reputation as a very honest worker who would do his best for everyone, being particularly kind-hearted.

When he came into the district there was no railway line, and he would think nothing of riding from Cookernup to Bunbury for a dance and home again to milk. For the past four years he had been living at Benger, working for Mrs. Laverwrack [Laverack]. Mr. Pidgeon was full of reminiscences of the early days, when there were no separators and milk had to be set up, turned into cheese and carted into Bunbury. For his first job in the district, at Wokalup, he received 4d. a week. Mr. Pidgeon had always been an energetic man, and, although he had met with an accident about two years ago, was up and about early every morning, even on the day of his death. The late Mr. Pidgeon, who had never shaved and never had his photograph taken, was well liked and respected, and his funeral was well attended by old residents.

(Harvey Murray Times, 10 March 1933.)