Robert Charles (Roy) Hemphill

  General Notes:

The Kyneton Guardian, Thursday, December 12, 1918
SAD DROWNING FATALITY.
Shortly before 4 p.m. on Tuesday several pupils of the Kyneton High School visited the Weir on the Campaspe below the hospital for the purpose of bathing. The party included Roy Hemphill of Lancefield who got out of his depth, and, being unable to swim, was drowned. Attempts to save him were ineffectually made by some of his companions, who were not good swimmers, and had to abandon the task. Messengers were sent on bicycles to the High School and to the police. Sergt Hore at once proceeded to the spot, but meantime the body had been recovered in about six feet of water by Mr. Alexander, a teacher at the High School, who is an expert swimmer.
Drs Groves and Loughan and two nurses from the hospital were in attendance when the body was recovered, but as it had been half an hour in the water, all efforts at restoration were quite hopeless, and the body was removed to the morgue at the hospital.
The lad had been boarding with Mr and Mrs Giles, of Yaldwyn St. He was a bright, intelligent boy, and much sorrow is felt at his untimely end. Word was telegraphed by Mr O’Brien, acting Headmaster of the High School to the parents, for whom great sympathy is felt.
An inquest was held at the Police Station on Tuesday evening before Mr. D. McLennan J.P., deputy coroner, when evidence was given by two of the deceased’s companions, named Wm Green and William Haslett, both of whom made gallant efforts to save the drowning lad, the former being pulled under in the attempt. Evidence was also given by Messrs O’Brien and Alexander in accordance with the above facts. The pupils at various times were taken down to bath under the guidance of experienced teachers. There have been only two occasions when such instruction has been imparted during the present season on account of the weather being so cool. On Tuesday these scholars had visited the river after school hours, and as a result of their own desire. The teachers did not know they had gone. Pupils had on occasions been warned not to go without the company of their instructor, and especially was that point urged in the case of non-swimmers. In the case of the lad Roy Hemphill, it was stated that he had not been present with those who had twice visited the river with their swimming instructors.
Mr McLennon entered up a verdict to the effect that death was due to accidental drowning, and added a rider that in his opinion life-buoys and indicators showing the depth of the water should be erected at the spot which is much frequented for bathing purposes.
Much Sympathy is felt all through the Kyneton district and in Lancefield for Mr. and Mrs. Hemphill and their two daughters in this sad and sudden bereavement. Mr. Hemphill is a well known and highly esteemed farmer in the Lancefield district. Mrs. Hemphill was a daughter of Mr. Mustey of Lancefield. Her brother was well-known in Kyneton a few years ago, when he was on the staff of the National Bank.

The Kyneton Guardian. Saturday, December 14, 1918.
Funeral - the final scenes in connection with the sad occurrence which took place at Kyneton on Tuesday afternoon, whereby a promising boy named Roy Hemphill lost his life by drowning as recorded in Thursday’s “Guardian”, were enacted on Thursday, when the burial took place in the Lancefield Cemetery. The funeral was largely attended, amongst those present being the Revs. T. J. Thomas (Kyneton) and Major Rigg (Lancefield), who conducted the services at the house and grave. Messrs. E. A. O’Brien and Alexander, masters at the Kyneton High School were also in attendance, having been motored from Kyneton by Mr. H. H. Castles, president of the High School Council. Twenty eight boys from the High School were driven from Kyneton in a drag gratuitously supplied by Mr E. W. Perkin, and in company with twenty boys from the Lancefield State School marched in front of the hearse. Several beautiful wreaths were sent, including one from the teachers and students of the High School Council, one from the teachers and the students of the High School, one from former students of the same school, and one from the Methodist Sunday School. The coffin was borne by relatives. Mr H. W. Bromley of Kyneton, was the undertaker. After the funeral Mrs. Hemphill invited the school boys and other visitors from a distance to her residence, where they were hospitably treated to a luncheon.

The Lancefield Mercury, Friday, December 13, 1918.
Sad Drowning Fatality.
It is our sad duty to record today the death of Master Robert Charles Hemphill, who was drowned in the Campaspie River at Kyneton on Tuesday afternoon. He was 14 years of age, and was the only surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston Hemphill of “The Pine”, Lancefield.
After school on Tuesday afternoon, he and three comrades about his own age, one of whom was Master Wallace Haslett, son of Mr Robert Haslett, of Lancefield, visited the river for a swim. On the way down Roy, as he was more familiarly known, mentioned that he was unable to swim and that he would paddle about in the shallow water. The boys had only been in the water a few minutes when Roy was observed by his companions to be in difficulties. They went to his assistance, one boy, much smaller by the way, making a heroic attempt to save him, only releasing his hold after being dragged under for the third time. One of them then hastened to the school to inform Mr Alexander, their swimming master, who lost no time in reaching the scene. Unfortunately, indeed he was too late, for Roy had disappeared after being in the water for about twenty minutes. Mr Alexander dived in several times and eventually recovered the body. Doctors Groves and Loughran, who arrived almost as soon as Mr. Alexander made a hasty examination and pronounced life extinct, although they, and two nurses from the Hospital, applied every known means to restore life in the hope that there was the remotest possibility of being able to do so.
At an enquiry subsequently held a verdict of accidental death by drowning was given. Upon investigation afterwards it was found that where he was bathing the bed of the river had been washed out to a depth of about 8 ft; quite a recent occurence apparently, as the hole was unknown to bathers, who up till then regarded that part of the river as shallow and perfectly safe.
The depth of sorrow occasioned Mr. and Mrs. Hemphill through the loss of their dear son is greater, far greater than we can express. It is a terrible blow to them, a fact which is fully realised by every member of the community. On Wednesday Mr. and Mrs. Hemphill received a letter of sincerest sympathy signed by the teachers and pupils (about 80) at the Kyneton High School. Roy, who formerly attended the Lancefield State School, had been a pupil of the High School for twelve months, and was referred to by his teachers as having a brilliant career ahead of him, proof of which is the fact that he passed with honor all his examinations. He was looking forward to returning home on Thursday (yesterday) for the Christmas vacation.
The funeral to the Lancefield cemetery yesterday was very largely attended, the burial service being conducted with marked solemnity by Major R. E. Rigg, assisted by the Rev. T. J. Thomas of Kyneton. The procession reached Lancefield about 2 p.m, and, a halt being made at the park, about 30 scholars of the Kyneton High School, who were driven over in a drag, and the senior boys of the Lancefield State School, formed up behind the hearse and marched to the cemetery. Mr O’Brien, head teacher of the High School, Mr Dyall, Lancefield State School head teacher, and other Kyneton teachers, also marched with the boys. It was all most impressive.
During the burial service one of the late lad’s schoolmates, Master Albert Puddephat, of Woodend, fainted. With the kindly assistance of some ladies, however, he was soon revived.