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from: The Bendigo Advertiser (Vic: 1855-1918) Tuesday, 13 November 1900, page 2
BURNING FATALITY
A fatal case of burning, which is surrounded by more than usually distressing features occurred yesterday morning. About a fortnight back, the wife of Mr. Thomas Banfield, a farmer, residing at Mosquito Creek, came into Bendigo, so as to receive professional attention during her accouchment. Mrs. Banfield left her daughter, Margaret, a child about two years old, in charge of her mother, Mrs. O’Donoghue, who lives at Emu Creek. Yesterday morning, while Mrs. O’Donoghue, was getting a bucket of water from a dam, some little distance from her house, she heard screams and on hurrying back, met her little grandaughter, enveloped in flames near the doorway. The child’s uncle, a young man who was engaged in the paddock, was also attracted by the screams, and he too hurried to the spot and succeeded in extinguishing the flames. The unfortunate child was badly burned from head to foot and young O’Donoghue drove in with the little patient, with all possible speed to Dr. Murphy’s surgery, but she expired while the doctor was examining her. The body was then removed to the Town Hall Hotel. The matter was reported to the police and a magisterial enquiry will be held this morning. A broom, the end of which ws burned, was subsequently found in the house and it is surmised that the child while playing with it, put it in the fireplace, and has ignited her clothes. Mrs. Banfield is in such a weak state that it is not deemed advisable to inform her of the tragic end that has befallen her daughter.
from: The Advocate (Melbourne, Vic 1868-1954) Thursday, 5 September, 1935, page 30
MRS. BRIDGET BANFIELD.
An old and highly respected resident of Axedale, Mrs. Bridget Banfield, passed away at her residence on August 7. after an illness of three days. The deceased lady was a native of Axe Creek, and was 74 years of age. She spent all her life in the district, the last 40 years at Mosquito Creek, where she carried on farming pursuits successfully. Sympathy is extended to her children, Mr. Frank and Misses Irene and Molly Banfield, in their loss of a devoted mother. Her husband, Thomas Banfield, predeceased her by 13 years. The funeral to the Axedale Cemetery was largely attended by town and country friends and relatives. The coffin was carried to the grave by her nephews, Messrs. J. O’Donoghue, M Browne, J. and B. Cummins. The pallbearers were Cr. S. Doak, Messrs. P. Shanahan, W. Carney, T. Godfrey, J. Godfrey, and T. Mangan. The Rev. Fr. P. O’Connor, assisted by the Rev. Fr. Vosti, officiated at the graveside.
R.I.P.
Axedale Catholic Cemetery, Axedale, City of Greater Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
MRS. BRIDGET BANFIELD. (1935, September 5). Advocate (Melbourne, Vic. : 1868 – 1954), p. 30. Retrieved September 10, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171910511
THE BENDIGO ADVERTISER (1900, November 13). Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 – 1918), p. 2. Retrieved September 10, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89427606
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