Obituaries Australia

  • Tip: searches only the name field
  • Tip: use double quotes to search for a phrase
  • Tip: lists of awards, schools, organisations etc

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Mary Padbury (1908–1937)

Miss Mary Padbury (29), daughter of Mr. William Padbury, of Meadow-street, Guildford, was killed early yesterday morning when a car in which she was a passenger crashed through the railings of the Helena River bridge, Guildford, and fell 20 feet into mud below. Her sister—Mrs. Evelyn May McIntyre, of Dirk Hartog station, Shark Bay—who was driving the car. escaped with severe shock and abrasions and was taken to a private hospital in Guildford. Miss Padbury, whose father is a well-known business man of Guildford and Perth, was a popular member of Perth society and the two sisters were returning from a dance at Karrinyup Golf Club when the accident occurred.

The accident took place about 3.30 am. at the section of the long bridge where there is a span for a stream to allow any flood water to escape from the flats. There was no water under the bridge at this point but the ground was muddy. Mrs. McIntyre, interviewed at the hospital by Constable Richardson, of the Police Traffic Branch, said that, just before the accident, she seemed to doze and then did not remember anything until the car crashed through the jarrah railings of the bridge. The road way narrows slightly at this point and there is also a slight hump in the surface.

The car, a sedan, fell about 20 feet, and, after landing on the radiator fell back on to the hood. Mrs. Mcintyre crawled from the wrecked machine and made her way to a nearby house, where she obtained assistance. Dr. Kyle, of Bassendean, was sent for and he found that Miss Padbury, who had raceived head injuries and lacerations, was dead. Mrs. McIntyre was taken by car to a private hospital, and it was learnt last night that, although suffering from severe shock, she is progressing satisfactorily.

About 25 feet of heavy jarrah and wire railings were torn away by the car, which suffered considerable damage to the radiator, bonnet and hood. The Coroner was notified of the tragedy and an inquest has been ordered.

It is understood that Mrs. McIntyre, who has been paying a visit to her old home in Guildford, was to have returned to Dirk Hartog station yesterday. The death of Miss Padbury, who was very popular in Guildford, where she had lived all her life, cast a gloom over the district yesterday.

Original publication

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Padbury, Mary (1908–1937)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/padbury-mary-14491/text25595, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024