When Thomas Edwards came from England to Western Australia in 1857 with his
young wife, Ann Maria Griffith and their first son, John, he was prepared to
take any job that gave them a roof over their heads. During their first year in
the colony he experienced the insecurity of a farm labourers life when married
couples were usually poorly housed and often were required for seasonal work.
The prospect of a regular, if small, salary, as well as the provision of living
quarters and opportunity for promotion attracted him to the police force.
This meticulously researched biography of one of Western Australia's mounted
policemen in the 1800s, which includes his later life as a farmer/pastoralist as
well, is told in these pages. Based chiefly on police records and occurrence
books as well as from information and photographs from family members, this is a
fitting tribute to the man ... Thomas Edwards of Beverley.
Contents:
List of Illustrations
List of Maps and Papers
Photographic Credits
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction
Abbreviations
1. The Immigrant
2. The Police Force 1850-1868
3. Duties at Country Police Stations
4. Early Years in the Police Force
5. Consolidation and Promotion
6. Wider Horizons
7. The Determination of Thomas Edwards
8. Aborigines
9. Disappointments and Changes
10. Planning for the Future
11. Bobbienet
12. Family
13. The Farmer
14. The Eighteen Nineties
15. The Twentieth Century
Bibliography
Index
Family Tree
Photographs
Maps and Papers
