Letter from Adelaide River

William Kekwick wrote to his brother on 25 July 1862, the day the men of Stuart's expedition planted the flag on the north coast of Australia. Writing from 'Adelaide River Arnheim's Land', which river Stuart believed they were on (in fact it was the Mary River) Kekwick writes 'This day by the blessing of Providence we have planted Britain's flag on the shores of the Indian Ocean - the spot we struck on the coast is to be named "Elizabeth Bay" after Miss Chambers who made the flag...'. Sadly in fact the bay would be named Chambers Bay, whether after Elizabeth, or more likely her father James, is supposition. Many of Stuart's best intentions with place names were overturned by the government back in Adelaide.

Kekwick continues, describing the river and the vegetation with enthusiasm, and giving some detail of the latter part of their journey. He breaks off writing to go on watch, indicating he will complete the letter later.

William Kekwick joined John McDouall Stuart on his third expedition into northern South Australia and despite the hardships would remain faithful to him through all of the remaining expeditions. Stuart would write of him after the successful crossing of Australia in 1862: 'To Mr. Kekwick I am deeply indebted whom I appointed as Second in Command this being the fourth journey he has been out with me and the second as Chief Officer. Whom I have cause to mention in my former journal in the highest terms of commendation which his excellent conduct throughout so fully merited and on this occasion he still retains the same high place in my estimation.' (Webster p. 247)

Kekwick had arrived in South Australia in 1840 and suffered some of the difficulties of establishing himself in the young colony, including a trip to the gold diggings in Victoria. When he returned from there he was employed by James Chambers on his stations and in this way met John McDouall Stuart. Kekwick Springs in the Northern Territory was named by Stuart for him in recognition of 'the zeal and activity he has displayed during the expedition.' (Webster p. 147)

After Stuart's expeditions Kekwick went into business briefly before trying to find work on the Overland Telegraph Line. Unsuccessful in this, he was in 1872 appointed to the expedition being led by William Christie Gosse into central Australia. He became ill and died before the expedition departed. William Kekwick was buried in Blinman cemetery.

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