Person:Matilda Hart (3)

1918 - Obituary appeared in the Adelaide "Observer" on 31 August 1918, Page 30 Col C and the "Chronicle", 31 August 1918, Page 19 Col D: "Mrs Matilda HURN, wife of George Hurn, of Peterhead who died on August 20, was the second daughter of the late Mr Thomas Rusher Hart, of Kadina. Mrs. Hurn was born in Clarendon in 1856 and in 1858 removed to Hamilton with her parents who opened the first store there. In 1861 Mrs. Hurn again transferred to Kadina, when the copper mines started, and was associated with another early business. Mr and Mrs Hurn were among the pioneers at Broken Hill. She has left a husband (George), a daughter (Mildred) and a son (Edward) is on HMAS Australia. The elder son, Cpl George Sylvester Hurn, died of wounds in France during July 1918, after three and a half years service. A brother (Mr. T. E. Hart), resides in Perth, and there are two sisters - Mesdames J. H. Sandercock (Prospect) and C. E. Prior (Walsleys)."

An Obituary also appeared in the Adelaide "Chronicle" on 7 September 1918, Page 19: "Mrs. Matilda Hurn, wife of Mr George Hurn of Sandwell Street, Peterhead, died of heart failure on August 20. She was the second daughter of the late Mr Thomas Rusher Hart, of Kadina, and was born at Clarendon in 1856, in the first general store built in Clarendon. In 1858, her parents opened the first general store in Kadina and Moonta, assisted by Messrs Luke and Samuel Furner. Mr and Mrs Hurn were among the pioneers of Broken Hill. They shared in all the hardships of the early days of silver mining. Mrs Hurn made many friends, by whom she was dearly loved. She left one son who is on the Australian flagship, and one daughter. Her eldest son, Corporal George Hurn, died of wounds in France, aged 28 years, on July 5."

Matilda was a teacher at Broken Hill Primary School, probably starting in its first year.