Herbert Kingshott

One of the later migrants to Australia, and progenitor of a small band of Kingshotts in Western Australia, was Herbert George Kingshott.

There were actually two Herbert George Kingshott's born at around the same time, and only two miles apart. One was born in Grayshott, Hampshire, England on 22nd January 1906 and the other was born on 4th August 1905 in Haslemere, Surrey, England. They were 2nd cousins once removed from each other.

Having obtained their birth certificates it was easy to establish that the Herbert Kingshott that emigrated to Australia was the former. He eventually settled in the Bunbury area of Western Australia.

Herbert was the third child of George and Ellen Mary Kingshott of Grayshott. The image below is the important part from his birth certificate.

I have not yet been able to locate exactly when he travelled to Australia, but he is certainly well established by the time that I find him in a newspaper article, using his middle name, as George Kingshott. The article reads:-

SHOT THROUGH THE HAND

Wickepin, April 28th - A Farmer named George Kingshott, residing six miles from Harrismith, saw some kangaroo's in a distant paddock yesterday afternoon. When reaching for his rifle in a motor car it unaccountably was discharged, and the bullet pierced through his hand. His wife bound it up and they motored into Harrissmith, expecting to find Dr Hodby there on his weekly visit. The doctor, however, had left shortly before. The injured man was motored into the Wickepin Memorial Hospital. He is progressing favourably, although suffering from shock.

The West Australian - Thursday 30th April 1931 - Page 11

This article mentions a wife. She was Ethel Jane McKieg and they were married at Narrogin, Western Australia on 19th March 1931. Over the next six years, they had three children that I know about, Lorraine, Basil Herbert and Trevor James.

Interestingly, Basil Kingshott followed in his father's footsteps and was also a bit of a nightmare when it came to firearms safety, as the following newspaper article illustrates:-

SHOT IN THE FOOT

Banbury, Saturday: A Young man was accidentally shot here today. The accident occurred late at night at Burekup. Basil Kingshott, 20, of Park Street, Bunbury, was out rabbit shooting when he accidentally received a bullet in the foot. He was admitted to Bunbury District Hospital.

Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954) Sunday 25 October 1953 p 1

So, both Basil and his father were injured in firearms accidents! I bet that hasn't happened very often in the annals of family history, outside of wartime. Clearly vermin shooting in the outback is a very dangerous pastime. I have assumed that the accidents were the result of mishandling of the firearms but this is not certain. I am also assuming that the vermin are not, themselves, armed and were fighting back!

Herbert George Kingshott's ancestors can be found here. He was my 6th cousin twice removed.

I have recently been contacted by a lady called Vivien Edwards, who is Lorraine Kingshott's daughter. Vivien has provided a lot of information, and documentary evidence, regarding her family and I am very grateful to her for that. Thank you.

Of the current descendants of this family, perhaps the most notable is Dayne Kingshott, who is a prominent Australian Speedcar Champion. Check out Kingshott Racing's Facebook Page.

I really don't know very much about the descendants of this branch of the family, and would love to hear from someone who links in. If you know anything or are such a person, please drop me a line!