david coombe history
david coombe history
That Gill gave a supper for friends before leaving on Horrocks' expedition is in itself a small story. It involved just a few people and Gill had modest albeit growing social recognition. It's odd the event should have been treated with such a lengthy newspaper report. It's also very unusual that we can deduce the name of the reporter (who was not also an editor/proprietor) and so better judge the article and its sentiment.
It may seem odd too that I should write a longish article here! However this is the only event in South Australia, apart from John Horrocks' 1846 expedition, in which we see Gill as a participant.
Article type: NARRATIVE
In this article ...
Our Gill timeline here starts in June 1846 with John Ainsworth Horrocks having proposed an expedition to the northwest and seeking partial government funding to cover the wages of three men. The working men were to be paid; the gentlemen were self-funded. In addition Horrocks would supply horses and the camel.
There being only one camel in South Australia, however, it's with him this story begins six years earlier.
A lone camel arrived in South Australia on 12 October 1840 on the barque Appoline from London. It was the sole survivor "out of half a dozen shipped at Teneriffe".1 The next month it was missing.
Lost, Stolen, or Strayed,
from Mr Alexander's, of Walkerville, the the Camel imported by Mr W. H. Phillips. Whoever will bring the same to his residence, North Terrace, Adelaide, will be handsomely rewarded for their trouble; but whosoever detains it after this notice will be prosecuted.2
The typesetter's duplication of the definite article just served to emphasise the beast's uniqueness! (It appears to have been the first imported camel, preceding a Hobart pair by two months.3)
Somehow the camel was returned to its owner and was auctioned in March 1841.
The Camel ! ! !
NEALE & BELSHAM beg to notify to the public generally, and particularly to gentlemen having stations in the bush, that they are instructed by H. W. Phillips, Esq., to offer for public competition, during the sale advertised above, a fine young camel, (with saddle, &c.,) in excellent condition, recently imported from Teneriffe. He is of the male sex, particularly docile in his habits, hardy in constitution, and well adapted for carrying loads of about half a ton.4
Just four weeks before the auction, John Ainsworth Horrocks had been joined in the colony by his brother, Arthur Ainsworth Horrocks.5 They now had themselves the camel.
The camel must have made an impact on Governor Gawler. Recalled to England in May, he was enthusiastic about it when he later lectured at the Royal Geographical Society (reported in Adelaide in September 1842):
From Adelaide to Port Essington [now Darwin] was a distance not exceeding 1,400 miles, whilst to Sydney it was only 1,000 miles. The latter was a journey which he might say was almost daily undertaken, and they were two excellent points for future research. Much was to be anticipated from the introduction of the camel, one of which having been taken to the colony, had thrived well upon the brush, which might be cultivated wherever there was a slate range. An inland sea might perhaps reward the investigations of some future traveller through these means.6
The New South Wales government was also interested in the use of camels and had several of their own.3
South Australia's camel had seemingly achieved little up to 1845 when James Allen's Register noted the camel had not yet reached his potential.
CAMELS.–When Mr Phillips, in the Appolline, touched at Teneriffe, on his voyage from London, he shipped four male and female camels, three of which, unfortunately, died from injuries received during a storm immediately after the vessel put to sea, and before they had been properly secured in their stalls. The disconsolate survivor is now at a station in the North; his feats limited to the scaring of astonished horses, who jump and fly at his approach, as if Old Nick were behind them; and to the occasional variety of frightening a benighted traveller out of his wits. But it is a pity camels should be here so scarce, as to be objects of wonder and alarm. Their strength, docility, and long endurance of drought, should render them most useful to us; and they may be bought at Teneriffe for a trifle.7
The following year 1846 saw sharper focus on exploration to South Australia's north. Charles Sturt had returned from his Northern Expedition in January. And in May news reached Adelaide of Leichhardt's successful (privately funded) expedition to Port Essington (Darwin) overland from Moreton Bay (Brisbane).8 South Australia too wanted a cross-continental route.
The great object which South Australians henceforth will have in view, is to ascertain the nearest practicable route to Port Essington. That route is as important to us as it can be to [New South Wales]. Captain Sturt has, however, shown that (without the aid of camels) it will be impossible to penetrate in that direction.9
For the young (28 year old) John Horrocks, the only possessor in South Australia of a camel, here was the opportunity of a lifetime. Within weeks he petitioned the government for a grant.
Sturt supported Horrocks' proposal. At the Legislative Council on 25 June 1846:
Captain Sturt presented a memorial by Mr Horrocks, stating that he was about to proceed to the N.W. to ascertain the nature of the high land to the west of Lake Torrens, seen by Messrs Eyre and Darke, and to prosecute discovery inland as far as possible for the benefit of the community. He proposed to take three men besides himself, with horses and a camel belonging to him. He estimated that the amount of wages required for the men would be £80, and this amount be petitioned the Council for a grant from the public funds.10
There was support too in the paper's editorial.
Our readers may remember that, a short time ago, we very strenuously urged the trial of the route into the interior by the high lands west of Lake Torrens, seen by Messrs Eyre and Darke. We little then thought that this route was destined to be so soon tested, and that by the best of all means of traversing the inland steppes of Australia, by a camel. Our satisfaction is increased by the knowledge that the expedition will be conducted by men of such activity and intelligence as Messrs Horrocks and Theakstone ... We earnestly trust that the Council may grant the petition of Mr Horrocks ... The only drawback to the sanction and encouragement of such an expedition by the Council is the smallness of the party; but if such an experienced explorer as Captain Sturt approves, even this objection cannot be urged.11
The matter was debated and referred to committee; the scope was expanded and the amount sought rose to £200; and then on 30 June the more modest original request was rejected. Instead the expedition, then justified by want of more sheep runs, was to be funded by private contributions.12
On 4 July the Register newspaper reported that Gill was to be another gentleman member of the expedition.
Mr Horrocks is to be accompanied by Mr Theakstone, the able coadjutor of the late Mr Darke, and by our talented artist Mr Gill, a gentleman of whom, as of true South Australian breed, the colony has a right to be proud. It was only the other day that we had the opportunity of seeing some of his recent drawings of bush scenery. They are the most vivid and lifelike of any that have been before presented to us. He gives the true idea of South Australian scenery – nothing is exaggerated nor any point lost. His sketches of the yet unknown districts he is to visit will be invaluable. He goes only as an amateur for the purpose of filling his note book. We shall have a rich treat on his return.13
The impression is of Gill as the noble artist, an amateur. Another newspaper described Gill more prosaicly as the expedition's "draftsman".14
What were Gill's "recent drawings of bush scenery"? Although none are yet specifically identified, some may have been from a trip he is known to have made to the Murray River in April.15
Was Gill's decision to join the expedition a natural outcome of a friendship with John Horrocks?
Previous authorities have said Gill and Horrocks were friends. Bowden (1971) wrote that a month into the expedition proper: "Gill and Horrocks were by this time close friends." Appleyard (1986) noted: "Gill, who was a friend of Horrocks, joined the expedition." Grishin (2015) explained the expedition was led by "Horrocks, who was the same age as Gill, had arrived in South Australia in the same year, 1839, and had become a close friend."16
Bowden's conclusion made complete sense; it would come as no surprise the pair may have become close over the course of the expedition. But the friendship commentary has passed from one Gill chronicler to another, each hinting an even earlier beginning for the friendship, but all without evidence.
However we can say it's likely the two young men were at least known to each other as early as 1840.
1840. Two portraits of John Ainsworth Horrocks known only by early black and white photographs. I attribute them to Gill and date them to early 1840.
Regardless of any pre-existing friendship, Gill was an obvious choice as accompanying draftsman / artist and within a week he would be off.
The expedition members left Adelaide on the morning of Saturday 11 July – at least those who were in town and not already at Horrocks' property of Penwortham.
The evening before departing, Gill gave a supper for friends. The occasion was reported at some length in John Stephens' newspapers – in Wednesday's Register17 and again in Saturday's Observer18 with ten lines omitted (the section below in italics.)
On the evening previous to the starting of the expedition our much respected and talented fellow-colonist, Mr Gill, gave a parting supper to a few of his friends.
Mr Gill's health having been most enthusiastically toasted, he rose to return thanks. He said he felt assured that all parties present concurred in wishing him good health and prosperity in his contemplated journey; and he trusted that the lapse of a few months would afford him an opportunity of again meeting them all, to tell them that their best wishes had been realised. It was true he was about entering upon a journey entirely novel to him, and that he was going unremunerated. His exertions, however, would not be the less on that account; and though hardships and privations would necessarily have to be encountered and endured; he hoped, should it be permitted to him again to enjoy the pleasure of their society, to give a full, true, and accurate report of his adventures with such faithful scenic representations as might serve to increase the personal interest to which they had so kindly given expression.
He could assure those present that he was not about to forget them as well as to part from them; he should often picture to himself, whilst in some remote and desolate spot, those friends congregated together and kindly adverting to him. Such a feeling would amply repay him for any little unforseen annoyances by the way. He returned them, one and all, his sincere and heartfelt thanks for the kind manner in which they had drunk his health.
Several excellent and well-selected songs were sung by the Adelaide professional singers, and Mr Goddard, who has recently arrived from one of the neighbouring colonies, added much to the harmony of the evening.
Mr Willshire, who did not respond to the call for a song in the mode intended, said he was much pleased with the opportunity afforded him by his having been called upon, not that he was ready or anxious to exercise his vocal powers, but because the call afforded him an opportunity of saying a few words which doubtless the company present would with accustomed courtesy, accept in lieu thereof. After the very able manner in which several gentlemen had expressed themselves with regard to their friend Mr Gill, little remained for him to expatiate upon. He had been invited amongst other assembled friends to bid their entertainer farewell. In doing so he would remark he did it with regret.
He had had the pleasure of knowing Mr Gill for some time; and unlike some everyday acquaintanceship, his had progressively improved upon acquaintance. Mr Gill had stated that he was about to assist in exploring the wilds of a country yet unknown to civilized man, and that, too, without remuneration. Mr Gill, therefore, would henceforth become known to them as an artist imbued with the spirit of enterprise, as well as ardently devoted to his professional pursuits. It would be seen that he was actuated by motives infinitely higher than those of mere emolument. He heartily concurred in all that had been said with regard to Mr Gill. He would, he felt assured, be a great acquisition to the expedition, and was destined, ultimately, he hoped, to receive deserved remuneration for his voluntary exertions and the indefatigable exercise of his talents in localities hitherto unvisited by human art.
The newspaper report is unusual in two respects: first, it is longer than one might expect for an event of minor significance and small attendance; and second, it's more about Willshire than Gill! So who was Mr Willshire?
24 year old James Doughty Willshire was a clerk, book-keeper and shipping reporter for John Stephens' newspapers – the bi-weekly Register and Saturday Observer.
In fact Stephens' had just that week celebrated a year of his proprietorship with a grand dinner at Samuel Payne's "Auction Mart Tavern". Sixteen gentlemen were present on that occasion, one of whom was Willshire. The report of that dinner occupied an entire page of the Observer on Saturday 11 July. Willshire and his bachelorhood received a passing mention – was that sufficient humility for the reporter to escape the editor's red pencil?19
Gill's supper was just two nights later. Only three people are named: Gill and Willshire – both prominently – and Goddard in passing. (Goddard, probably Frederick, may have been a ticket-of-leave man from New South Wales.20)
Three days later the initial report was reprinted in the sister masthead slightly abridged – ten lines of Willshire declining the singing request (in italics above) was probably seen by the editor as the journalist's self-indulgence. It was replaced by the plain: "Mr Willshire said he had been invited with other assembled friends to bid their entertainer farewell."18
"Mr Gill gave a parting supper to a few of his friends." Who? Oh that Willshire had reported who else was at that dinner – the "other assembled friends" and the "several gentlemen" who also spoke! It would not be surprising to find among them members of the expedition's subscriptions committee: Gill's art student E L Montefiore or Charles Platts.12 Perhaps others too like John Michael Skipper. Horrocks clearly wasn't there, otherwise Willshire would have mentioned him.
Willshire stretched it when he said he'd known Gill "some time" and would have only sporadically "known" Gill over a period of less than eighteen months. Before coming to South Australia, Willshire had farmed eight acres on leasehold at Circular Head, Van Diemen's Land. He'd become insolvent and before that was resolved had come to Adelaide in January 1845. Willshire was then back and forth to deal with his financial matters.21 In writing about his friendship with Gill, it looks like Willshire was big-noting himself.
(Willshire wouldn't last long. John Stephens publicly sacked him in March. Supreme Court trials ensued. Stephens charged Willshire with embezzlement (resulting in acquittal). Willshire counter-sued for libel and won.22)
Willshire may have overplayed the ideal of the noble artist with "motives infinitely higher than those of mere emolument" but he also acknowledged Gill's enterprise and professionalism and hoped the venture would pay off.
We see Gill's own intentions, after a few months, to return with "a full, true, and accurate report of his adventures" with "faithful scenic representations". Gill would go where the Daguerreotype couldn't. He would bring back what Sturt hadn't – he would return with verisimilitude and appeal. He would write; he would sketch; he would return; he would paint; he would sell his art and he would further grow his reputation. This he did. (Though as we shall see later, at least one picture wouldn't be totally true.)
Before heading out of Adelaide, Gill left some pictures with Charles Platts at the Auction Mart. Soon advertised among the store's new books, violin supplies and stationery were "sketches of the colony by Gill".23 Prudently leaving these with Platts, Gill hoped for a small source of income for the months of absence. It's likely some of these are among his Series of Adelaide Views. Certainly one of them was sketched in 1846 – "Auction Mart, Adelaide, So. [i.e. South] Australia, 1846" (NLA NK2038/12) – shown here.
1840/1846. Simple postcard sized wash drawings labelled "Series of Adelaide Views" and numbered (on the back) showing the built environment of Adelaide and the Port.
Expedition members left Adelaide on Saturday 11 July.
The expedition under the command of Mr Horrocks, the object of which is to explore the hitherto unknown country north-west of the ranges of Mount Arden, started from Adelaide on Saturday morning last. Whether policy or a proper carefulness swayed the legislative body in refusing to vote the sum of £80 in furtherance of this new attempt at useful exploration is now of little moment, since the public has evinced a proper appreciation of the objects by subscribing towards the outfit a sum rather above £140 within the short period of ten days. Mr Horrocks has taken with him rations for five months, and is accompanied by Mr Theakstone the friend and fellow-traveller of the late Mr Darke; Mr Gill the Artist; Martin Mann, a veteran soldier, late of the 96th; an aboriginal native who has been sometime in Mr Horrock's service; a man, named Bernard Koling; and last, not least, the camel (not par excellence, being the only one in the colony), but the one of which Mr Horrocks is esteemed the distinguished possessor by the wondering natives, and which will doubtless prove a valuable appendage.17
The departees went as far as Horrocks' property, Penwortham, where they prepared for the expedition proper, eventually leaving there on 29 July.
Who were the expeditioners leaving Adelaide? The answers aren't as clear as one might either hope or expect.
The "aboriginal native who has been sometime in Mr Horrock's service" was Jimmy Moorhouse. He seems to be the same Jemmy Moorhouse whose aboriginal name was reported as Wambarno.
Theakstone: John Henry Theakston (c. 1808-09 - 1878).
"Bernard Koling" of the newspaper report is Bernard Kilroy – this being an error in Willshire's report which unfortunately was then reproduced in the newspapers of other colonies. The error suggests Kilroy may not have been known in Adelaide. Kilroy's role seems to have been as an attendant to Horrocks; he was also described as driver and cook. References to him – never "Mr. Kilroy" – suggest he, along with Garlick, was of a lower standing in society than the "gentlemen" Mr. Horrocks, Mr. Theakstone and Mr. Gill. "SA Memory" says Kilroy worked on Horrocks' property.24 But who (else) was he? Could he have been the New South Wales ticket-of-leave man Kilroy Barney, alias Crawford in September 1844?25 Is he the same man as the Bernard Kilroy who had an unclaimed letter sitting at Berrima, New South Wales in November 1845?26
Mystery Mann: There was no Martin Mann on the expedition and his identity is a mystery. From whom did Willshire get this name? One plausible but unsubstantiated possibility is that the expedition was meant to include John Frederick Mann (1819-1907), explorer and surveyor who had had a brief military career. "Mann began early in 1846 to prepare for an expedition in search of Ludwig Leichhardt, whose unexpected return to Sydney in March thwarted the plan. In October Mann joined as second-in-command another expedition led by Leichhardt."27
Daniel Garlick (1818 - 1902), who worked for Horrocks, wasn't mentioned in the press until after the expedition commenced.
The camel is Harry.
Cawthorne. William Anderson Cawthorne - journal, 1846-1849. Digitised at SLNSW: <https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/9gkdb3m9>.
David Coombe. Original 14 December 2023. Formatted 18 July 2025. | text copyright (except where indicated)
CITE THIS: David Coombe, 2023-2025, 1846. The Camel, Horrocks's Expedition, Gill's Parting Supper and a Newspaper Reporter, accessed dd mmm yyyy, <https://coombe.id.au/S_T_Gill/1846_Camel_Horrocks_Supper_Willshire.htm>