We (“Toowoomba Chronicle”) regret to record the death of another Queensland pioneer, Mr. Robert Watkins, having passed away on the 23rd of March, after a lingering illness, at the ripe age of 77 years.
Although a native of West Maitland, Mr. Watkins was practically a Queenslander, as he came to Ipswich with his parents in 1842, when only four years of age. His father (Mr. Charles Watkins), was a well-known and respected citizen of Ipswich, having been an alderman for several years.
After leaving school, Mr. Watkins first engaged in pastoral pursuits, but afterwards he spent most of his time on the various Queensland goldfields. He was well-known at Gympie, Talgai, Pikedale, and Canal Creek, in the days when these gold fields were first opened up.
In 1865, at Clifton, he married Miss Ellen Byrnes, of Armidale eventually settling in Warwick, and afterwards he came to Toowoomba. where he resided until his death.
He leaves a widow and seven grown-up children, and several grandchildren, to mourn their loss. His family are as follows : Messrs. Charles and James Joseph Watkins, Mrs. W. Heller, Mrs . E. J. J. Duggan, Misses Jean, Alice, and Nurse Watkins (of St. Alban’s Hospital, Brisbane).
By the special request of the deceased, he was interred beside his brother in the South Brisbane cemetery. The Rev. F. Wilchil and Rev. J. Byrne officiated at the graveside.
Queensland Times, Thursday 1 April 1915, page 7
