Alexander Cameron (1876 - 1903)

Born 1876 in Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret Ann (Taylor) Cameron — married 1898 in Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 26 Jun 1903 at about age 27 in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Biography

Alexander Cameron was born in the Colony of Victoria (1851-1900)

Alexander Cameron was born 1876, his birth registered that year in Sandridge, Victoria, the son of Alexander Cameron and Ruth Dellar. Sandridge is now known as Port Melbourne. ^[1]

Marriage. In 1898, he married Margaret Ann Taylor, in the Colony of Victoria. ^{[2] [3]}

Death. Alexander was killed on 26th June 1903, aged just 27. His death was registered at East Melbourne, Victoria, naming his parents as Alexander Cameron and Ruth Dellar. ^[4]

The Argus (Melbourne) Monday 29 June 1903 - Page 7

KILLED BY A TRAIN.

An inquest was held at the Morgue on Saturday by Mr. Candler, the city coroner, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Alexander Cameron, a blacksmith, 27 years of age, whose body was found on the rails of the St. Kilda railway near the City-road bridge early on Friday morning. The evidence showed that at about 10 o'clock on Thursday evening Cameron left his home in Gladstone-street, South Melbourne, which was only a couple of hundred yards from the spot where his body was found, telling his wife that he would return shortly. He was sober and in good health, and was suffering from no known trouble. Nothing more was seen of him alive, and when the driver of the first train next morning found him life had then been extinct for several hours. The jury returned in open verdict. ^[5]

Inquest. Held 27th June 1903 at the Melbourne Morgue.

Her statement shows Margaret had identified his body, confirming him to be her husband, aged 27. She had last seen him a few minutes to 9 p.m. on the 25th June when he left, saying he would be gone only about ten minutes. Margaret said he was not in the habit of crossing the railway line where he was found (St KIlda Line, near the City Road Bridge) and told her he had been to William Vannett's home after work. She said that he at times took drink but was quite sober when he left.

William Vannett, of 270 Rose Street, Port Melbourne, said he had seen Alexander last about 8.20 p.m. on the 25th. He couldn't tell if he had been drinking, but he had none at his place. William had known Alexander for four years, and said he lived three streets away in South Melbourne. Though he was a blacksmith, Alexander had been working as a labourer on the wharf. Like Margaret, William did not think he would have committed suicide and found it odd that he would cross the line there, for he knew Alexander was more likely to use the wicker gate at the Montague Station.

The doctor doing the post mortem found no traces of alcohol and his injuries were consistent to having been struck a severe blow to the head which may have been caused by being struck by a wheel or the guard iron of a locomotive. He had not been run over and was probably lying down when struck.

The jury returned the verdict that the deceased Alexander Cameron was found killed on the Railway Line near South Melbourne on 26th June 1903 and that there was no evidence to show how he got on the line or for what object he was there. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. (Online index accessed 3 Sep 2023): 1876 Birth Registration, Alexander CAMERON (Mother: Ruth DELLAR. Father: Alexander CAMERON) birth registered at SAND 5304/1876
2. ↑ Marriage, Victoria (Australia) Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. (Online index accessed 28 Aug 2023): 1898 Marriage Registration for Margt Ann TAYLOR & Alex CAMERON, 949/1898
3. ↑ Named as parents Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. (Online index accessed 28 Aug 2023): 1900 Birth Registration, Jos Richd CAMERON (Mother: Margt Ann TAYLOR; Father Alex [CAMERON]) birth registered at MELB S, 4965/1900
4. ↑ Death, Victoria (Australia) Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. (Online index accessed 3 Sep 2023): 1903 Death Registration for Alex CAMERON (Mother: Ruth DELLAR. Father: Alex CAMERON) Melb E 6732/1903, age 27
5. ↑ Death 1903 'KILLED BY A TRAIN.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 29 June, p. 7. , viewed 03 Sep 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9803371
6. ↑ Inquest "Public Record Office Victoria" Inquest Deposition Files (VPRS24) permalink to digital file1903/709 Alexander Cameron: Inquest (12 Pages, accessed 3 Sep 2023):
   Given name : Alexander; Family name : Cameron; Cause of death : Railway accident; Location of hearing : Melbourne Morgue; Date of hearing: 27 Jun 1903

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