Busselton Lighthouse Timekeepers Log 1912-1915

Edward Matthew Tonkin was born on 18 September 1848 in Upper Swan, Western Australia. He is the son of John Tonkin and Dinah Edwards.
He married Emma Louisa Stevens on 29 July 1874 in Fremantle.
Edward Matthew Tonkin died age 74 and was buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery in Western Australia.

The intimation in these columns last week that Mr Edward Matthew Tonkin, a resident of Busselton for nearly 45 years, had passed away was received with much regret. Mr Tonkin was Western Australia born, his parents at the time of his birth residing at the Upper Swan. Early in life he was attracted to the sea and became an expert member of the old whaling fraternity that operated from the Nor' West to Albany. In 1878 he joined the Police force and shortly after was transferred to the Vasse, a move that proved to be life-long in duration. He continued in that capacity until 1902 when he resigned in order to take up the duties of attendant at the Busselton lighthouse and at the jetty head. This was a duty he had performed in conjunction with his police duties ever since his arrival at the port, and one in which he took especial pride. During his association with this work it has been computed that he made over 30,000 trips to the end of the Busselton jetty and back, and in the whole of his 45 years service had only taken one holiday, and that an enforced one of six weeks through illness.
Mr Tonkin took little part in public life, but was always ready to take up his share of the ordinary duties of citizenship. As a youth he joined the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, and all through his life kept up his connections with that body. He was one of the most loyal friends, and in an unostentatious way always ready to assist another.
The funeral took place on Wednesday last, when the remains were interred in the Anglican portion of the Karrakatta Cemetery, the Rev Patrick officiating. The chief mourners were his widow, sons John and Albert, daughters Edith and Mrs E Macintyre, Mesdames Donaldson and King (sisters) G.P. Stevens (brother in law) and many members of the younger generation of the family. The pall bearers were four members of the M.U.I.O.O.F., Messrs J Wrightson, T Blencoe, E Tonkin, R Sayers, G Finlay, Rev HB Kirkland, J Young and E Eicke. Deceased left a widow, five sons, four daughters, 31 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, two sisters and a brother (at Broome) to mourn his loss. Many beautiful floral tributes were laid upon the grave.
Whaler off WA coast. Police Constable 1878 & was transferred to Vasse as a Water Policeman 1888. After Federation he transferred to Commonwealth Dept. of Trade & Customs. Maintained navigation lights 1878- 1923. C/E.

Source:
1. Western Australia Birth Index. (Government of Western Australia, Department of Justice, The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, https://www.bdm.justice.wa.gov.au/_apps/pioneersindex/default.aspx : accessed 25 May 2022) index entry for Edward Matthew Tonkin (Father John Foss, Mother Dinah Edwards. Place of birth Upper Swan. Year of birth 1848) Registration number 1198, Year 1848
2. Western Australia Marriage Index. (Government of Western Australia, Department of Justice, The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, https://www.bdm.justice.wa.gov.au/_apps/pioneersindex/default.aspx : accessed 25 May 2022) index entry for Edward Mathew Tonkin and Emma Louisa Stevens. Place of marriage Fremantle, Year of marriage 1874. Registration number 3789, Year 1874.
3. Western Australia Death Index. (Government of Western Australia, Department of Justice, The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, https://www.bdm.justice.wa.gov.au/_apps/pioneersindex/default.aspx : accessed 25 May 2022) index entry for Edward M Tonkin. Year of death 1923. District Perth. Registration number 378, Year 1923.
4. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 14 September 2021), memorial page for Edward Matthew Tonkin (18 Sep 1848–20 Mar 1923), Find A Grave: Memorial #209773888, citing Karrakatta Cemetery and Crematorium, Karrakatta, Nedlands City, Western Australia, Australia ; Maintained by ShelleyT (contributor 49626833) .
5. "OBITUARY." The South-Western News (Busselton, WA : 1903 - 1954) 30 March 1923: 1. Web. 25 May 2022 .
6. https://www.friendsofbattyelibrary.org.au/_files/ugd/f5623a_16bb17e2074e44c5b945fb6e4fe72759.pdf