Cecil Rhodes King Eager
Cecil Rhodes King Eager
People Buried Here
Epitaph
In Loving Memory Of
Samuel Eager
Who lost his life in the
Walloway Railway Accident,
on the 16th Nov. 1901
Aged 31 years
___________
"Beloved it is well.
God's ways are always right
And love is o'er them all;
Though far above our sight
It is well."
Also
Cecil King Eager
Nephew of the above
Who was gathered home
On the 16th March 1901
Aged 5 months.
Both Much Loved
Now United Above.
Description
Around 2.30 am on the 16th November 1901, Samuel Eager was the fireman on the south bound cattle train to Orroroo, when it collided with a north bound goods train at the Walloway Rail Siding. He was found deceased some 5 hours later with the brake lever still gripped in his hand.
The cattle train missed the siding, likely from a combination of brake failure and rails slippery with dew, grasshoppers, or cattle urine from the 168 bullocks aboard, on consignment by Sir Sydney Kidman.
Danger lamps were employed by the cattle train, but a cutting near the siding and a curve through this harzardous stretch of the Flinders Ranges made it impossible for the goods train to spot the alert until it was too late.
Eager's counterpart on the goods train, John 'Jack' Brodie, was also killed in this accident, dying around 2½ hours after he was pulled from the wreckage, having had one leg severed in the crash.
Eager's driver, W. H. Pennington of the down train, although surviving, was blinded by the scalding he received from the engine's steam. Pennington's counterpart on the up train, C. Haines, received cuts and bruises along with severe shock.
This summary is written in honour of the men who lost their lives, and those who survived to live with their memories.