Death of Major Egerton-Warburton.
One of the names most intimately associated with exploration in the interior of the Australian continent is that of Major Peter Egerton-Warburton, CMG. It is with regret that we announce the death of this veteran explorer, a regret which we are sure will be shared by all who are acquainted with the history of the endeavours which have been made to open up the country in Central Australia, about so much of which our acquaintance consists more of conjecture than fact.
The major's death occurred at his residence at Beaumont on Tuesday, and he had attained the ripe age of 76 years, of which about 36 years were spent in this colony.
His career was one of varied and trying experience both in India and Australia. He is well remembered as one of the pioneers of exploration, and the heroism and perseverance with which he conducted the arduous work of discovery in our arid central country will give him a permanent place in colonial history. By his indomitable endeavours in this direction in years gone by he has been greatly instrumental in adding to our still meagre knowledge of the desert tracts in the north-west of South Australia.
The late Major Warburton was born at Arley Hall. Northwick, Cheshire, on August 16, 1813. He was educated in France, principally at Orleans and Paris, and in 1825 he entered the Royal Navy, serving for four years on board HMS Windsor Castle, under Captain D King. In 1829 he abandoned sea life and entered the Military College of the Honourable East India Company, at Addiscombe, where he received instruction for several years. He obtained his commission in the company's service and sailed for India in 1831: and in 1835 he was appointed adjutant of the Marine Battalion at Bombay. From that position he was transferred to the General Staff, and was rapidly promoted until he reached the rank of acting deputy-adjutant general. This appointment he held for two years, and in March, 1853, he retired from the service with the rank of major and the pension of a captain. He had been nearly 24 years in the service of the company, of which period 22 years had been passed in India. He now turned his attention towards Australia and sailed from India in the early part of the same year. In July he landed at Albany, but his stay in Western Australia was very brief.
He decided to come on to this colony, and in September he reached Adelaide. At this time Sir Henry Fox Young was Governor of South Australia, and shortly after his arrival Major Warburton received a position in the Civil Service. Towards the end of December, 1853, he was appointed Commissioner of Police in succession to Mr G F Dashwood, who held the post for a month or two in the place of Mr Alexander Tolmer. This office he held until February,1867, and in 1869 he was appointed Colonel-Commandant of the South Australian Volunteer Force. He carried out these duties very creditably until 1877, when he resigned, afterwards taking charge of the Imperial pension establishment.
Major Warburton's great work, however, was connected with various exploring expeditions in Central Australia. His principal and most recent exploration was that which was undertaken in 1873, when he succeeded in crossing the continent from a point on the overland telegraph line to the De Grey River, in Western Australia, passing en route through that terrible stretch of country known as the Sandy Desert. When the overland telegraph line was completed in 1872, the question of the character and capabilities of the country in Central Australia was very prominently brought up. The South Australian Government encouraged enterprise in this direction, and identified themselves with the work.
Between 1872 and 1875 three explorers were out— Major Warburton, Mr Ernest Giles, and Mr W C Gosse. They all started from different points on the line for the westward. Mr Giles started from Chambers's Pillar in 1872, but after discovering the Glen of Palms and Lake Amadeus, he met with obstacles which prevented him from proceeding either to the westward or the southward. On his return Major Warburton and Mr Gosse were about to start from higher points on the line, both fitted out by the Government, and generously supplied by the hon now Sir Thomas Elder, with camels for their use by the way. Mr Giles, however, set out again at about the same time, so that there were three explorers in the field at once. Major Warburton was commissioned by Mr Elder to search for cattle country to the west of the telegraph line in the centre of the continent. He was provided with 30 camels and had a small and carefully selected party to accompany him. He started westward from Alice Springs, one of the stations on the line, higher than Mr Giles had selected in his first expedition. Many months passed without any news being received from him, and grave misgivings were felt as to the fate of the expedition. At length after about twelve months' silence something was heard of him. A member of his party turned up at one of the most northern stations in Western Australia and reported that the gallant explorer was camped near the De Grey River, many miles away, with no provisions but camels' flesh, and very little of that. The party endured terrible hardships in forcing their way across the desert, and their privations had told upon them fearfully. An expedition was sent out for them, and everything was done for the party by the Governor of Western Australia (Sir Wm Robinson) and the Chief Secretary (the Hon W Barlee). They were sent on to Adelaide, where they met with an enthusiastic welcome. Major Warburton subsequently visited England, where he was awarded the gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society for his efforts towards increasing our knowledge of the interior of Australia. He received the Companionship of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1875. After his return from England Major Warburton retired into private life, and has lived near Adelaide until his decease.
The funeral of the late Major Warburton took place on Thursday morning, the remains being interred in St Matthew's churchyard, Kensington. Prior to the ceremony at the ground service was conducted in the church by Bishop Kennion, assisted by the Rev C W Hawkins. There were present among others at the grave – Messrs R J E Warburton, W E Warburton (sons), and H Short (son-in law), Sir S Davenport (president Geographical Society), Sir W Milne, Sir E T Smith, Dean Marryat, Canon Dendy, the Revs A Honner, W A Swan, W H Mudie, and S French, Colonel Downes, Commissioner Peterswald, Dr Hayward, and Messrs F S Grant, W Sandover, A J Baker, H Foote, F W Frampton, W M Sandford, P Auld (Stuart's party), W H Tietkins (explorer), T Gill (hon treasurer Geographical Society), A T Magarey (hon secretary Geographical Society), L H Sholl (under-treasurer), J R
Phillips, A Davies, M Giles, J F Cleland, G F Cleland, W C M Finniss. C Giles MP, T Giles, F H Stokes, Wm Dean, E B Grundy, G W Hawkes, F G Waterhouse (Stuart's party). H Smythe, and C B Hardy,
Ref: Express and Telegraph (Adelaide SA) Friday 8 November 1889 p3
