SMALLACOMBE, Ernest
Name – SMALLACOMBE, Ernest
Born – 22/06/1873
Died – 7/08/1943
Location – No 11 Old Methodist Section
Mother – Elspet Alice Greig
Father – Thomas Smallacombe
Notes – Ernest was born in 1873 to Elspet Alice (nee Greig) and Thomas Smallacombe at Yanya, South Australia. Ernest was educated in South Australia, not only for the three Rs. He had completed a St Johns Ambulance course and was often called on to set broken legs and arms and patch up cuts. He moved with his parents to various farming places in South Australia until he married Eliza (Dolly) Tully in 1903. Their children arrived from 1904 on.
He moved with his parents and brothers to Queensland after the sale of Lillimur Station. He lived at Tara, farming and value adding to that by starting a butchers shop and slaughterhouse which was located at Cassil not far from town.
Ernest stayed here with his family until a drought made them decide to move to Toowoomba (also for the kids to go to school). Family story: They couldn’t understand why the property they bought in Toowoomba was so cheap, until they worked out there was a working brothel next door .
While living in Toowoomba, he had a run in with the neighbours. Long story short they said he shot a horse in the knee, not only did they say it they published it. He sued them for 200 ponds in 1928. Lot of money back then. The court believed him and not the neighbour as, as if a Smallacombe would shoot a horse for fun! So he ended up with the neighbour having to pay costs of 7 pounds and pay him 25 pounds.
They moved to the Gympie area for a few years farming then moved back to Tara. Ernest died at Tara on the 7th August, 1943. He was a much loved and respected member of the Tara district.
Ernest shares a headstone with his wife Eliza (Dolly) that reads – In loving memory of Ernest Smallacombe Died 7th Aug 1943. Aged 70 years. Catherine Smallacombe Died 28th April 1946. Aged 70 years. At rest.
Newspaper Article – Read here.
War Service File –
Learn more about the Tara Cemetery here.
