Thomas ‘Tommy’ Kendall – Gawler Town Crier
Thomas ‘Tommy’ Kendall was one of Gawler’s early Town Criers. He came to South Australia on board the barque Kingston on 18 December 1848, arriving at Port Adelaide from Sydney. He travelled with his wife Catherine.[1]
Thomas had previously been a Private in the 80th Regiment of Foot, based at Chatham Kent.
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| Thomas Kendall's grave, West Tce. Cemetery Source: Dwight Baker - Find a Grave 2016 |
The Bunyip wrote the following about a Town Crier named Kendall in 1879 under an article titled ‘Sayings and Doings Colonial Athens’:
BILL STICKING AND TOWN CRYING.
So we are to have a new bill poster and town cryer in Gawler. That's a sign of progress I think, and he's sure to get large patronage.
His name is Kendall, and I wouldn't wonder if he don't 'kindle' some enthusiasm in the hearts of the people here. Why do town cryers always use bells? This is an age of novelty, and I would suggest a drum as a better style of announcing sales and entertainments. The beating of a drum would stir all hearts with the enlivening sound; even yet I fondly remember how in childhood I often listened to the drummer, as he twirled his stick with rub a dub, 'dow-de-dow,'
Therefore my advice to, the new cryer is to introduce the drum, and beat up a hearty 'row-dow-dow' whenever a sale is on.[2]
Thomas suffered an elbow injury while working as an ostler at the Mill Inn in 1881.
Accident.—A serious accident happened on Tuesday morning at the Mill Inn, Gawler, to Mr. Thomas Kendall. It appears that Kendall although warned against doing so, went into the stable and began to clean a horse belonging to Mr. Denton, of Morgan, when the horse, which is generally quiet, kicked Kendall in the right elbow, putting it out of joint Mr. Popham was immediately in attendance, and set the fractured limb.[3]
Thomas died at the Adelaide Destitute Asylum on 25 July 1883. He was 73 years old.[4]
Upon his death, The Bunyip newspaper published the following epitaph regarding Tommy’s death, buried deep within another article:
On Monday a Gawler celebrity took his departure for that bourne from whence no man returneth. Thomas Kendall, or "Tommy," as he was more generally known by, died in the Adelaide Hospital from general decay. For some years past he has been the favorite town crier and bill sticker, and well has he done his work. He lived in poor circumstances, and although there were many who would have helped him, his independent spirit kept him from taking their aid, as he preferred to be free of obligation to any one.[5]
Also printed in the Bunyip was this epitaph in 1883. The excerpt from an article is written in the exact language used below, mocking the poor and uneducated. Perhaps this was an attempt at humour.?
Mrs. Harris On Things In General, Gawler Things in Particular
A few days ago, poor old Tommy Kendall took his larst journey for a distant shore, where I trust neither bill-sticking nor crying will be required of him.
The old gentleman was not a bad sort, full of informashun bought and paid for, possessing many good traits of character ,and your Betsey espeshily kan testify to his honesty, independent spirit, and an earnest desire to act squarely. I think those are very good traits in a man an nis poverty ort not to be a barrier for honorable menshun. May he have better times of it than he have had lately are the earnest wish of
Yours trooly,
Betsy Harris.[6]
Photo: Dwight Baker (contributor 47306645), Find a Grave, database and images memorial page for Thomas Kendall (unknown–26 Jul 1883), Find a Grave Memorial no. 159724849, citing West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, Adelaide City, South Australia, Australia ;
[2] 'SAYINGS AND DOINGS COLONIAL ATHENS.', Bunyip (21 February 1879), p. 4.
[3] 'GENERAL NEWS.', Adelaide Observer, (8 October 1881), p. 31.
[4] Thomas Kendall, Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985, vol. 129, p, 407
[5] 'TAXATION.', Bunyip, (3 August 1883), p. 2.
[6] 'MRS. HARRIS ON THINGS IN GENERAL, GAWLER THINGS IN PARTICULAR.', Bunyip, (10 August 1883), p. 3
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