Frank Pearson
Below are some photos of the man known as Captain Starlight
Below are some photos of the man known as Captain Starlight
The Darlinghurst Gaol entry photo of 'Frank Pearson', 1874. Image from State Archives of NSW
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Captain Starlight, using the alias Patrick Pelly, is pictured seated at the front in the white coat, with the staff of the Geological Survey of WA. Image from State Records of WA.
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Harding Collection
The paintings below are believed to have been done by Captain Starlight (as 'Major Pelly') while staying at Yarawa (near Mungindi) in 1890, when he was flood-bound for several months. Shared with permission of Allan Harding. These paintings are now held by the archives of the National Art School, in the site of the former Darlinghurst Gaol.
The paintings below are believed to have been done by Captain Starlight (as 'Major Pelly') while staying at Yarawa (near Mungindi) in 1890, when he was flood-bound for several months. Shared with permission of Allan Harding. These paintings are now held by the archives of the National Art School, in the site of the former Darlinghurst Gaol.
Images from Perth, Western Australia
Here I am at the grave of 'Captain Starlight' in Perth's Karrakatta Cemetery.
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The lovely Karrakatta Cemetery where Starlight is buried under the name of 'Patrick Pelly'. The white noticeboard marks his grave.
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This is the plaque marking Captain Starlight's grave. Note that it contains some errors! See myths 2. 3 and 4 above!
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The Wesleyan Church in Perth where Starlight sought (and received) assistance.
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Inside the Wesleyan Church.
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The 'Old Perth Boys' School' on St George's Terrace in Perth. The Geological Survey of WA was housed in this building when 'Pelly' worked there as an accountant.
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Darlinghurst Gaol
This was the Chapel at the Darlinghurst Gaol (now the National Art School). Frank Pearson helped to make the stained glass window in the chapel.
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This is the window in the chapel, believed to have been made by Frank Pearson and fellow inmate of Darlinghurst Gaol, Henry Louis Bertrand, in about 1873.
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Another view of the Chapel
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St Helena Island, QLD
Below are some pictures of St Helena Island as it is today. The graveyard (centre) is the prisoners' cemetery.
The children of the warders (top left) were buried in a separate cemetery.
Below are some pictures of St Helena Island as it is today. The graveyard (centre) is the prisoners' cemetery.
The children of the warders (top left) were buried in a separate cemetery.
Paintings from Aimee Wilsone's scrapbook
These paintings were done by Captain Starlight (under the alias of Waller) and given to his host at Apis Creek, Aimee Augusta Wilsone in 1887. Source: MS 9347. Captain Starlight. Papers ca.1887. Australian Manuscripts Collection, State Library of Victoria
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Source: MS 9347. Captain Starlight. Papers ca.1887. Australian Manuscripts Collection, State Library of Victoria
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