A memorial grave of a tragic event of four children drowning at the weir in Drillham.
The Miles and District Historical Society believe the graves to be of the four children of a railway lengthsman, named Roehrig and his wife Matilda (nee Fechner).
The children who were accidentally drowned in the railway weir on 5th January, 1893, were;
- Matilda Roehrig, aged 14 years 4 months, born in Brisbane QLD
- Isabella Roehrig, aged 12 years 10 months, born near Tamworth NSW
- Charles Roehrig, aged 11 years 4 months, born in Glen Ennis NSW
- Jane Roehrig, aged 8 years 8 months, born in Lowood QLD
The plaque was the gift of the Queensland Women’s Historical Association and it was unveiled by Brian Hubird Ford, Esq B>D>Sc President of the Miles and District Historical Society, on Saturday, 23rd July, 1966.
“That the generation to come might know them, even the children” (Psalm 78, Verse 6)
In an article in the Western Star and Roma Advertiser, the family were at dinner at 1pm, Afterwards, the children went bathing in the 11-foot deep waterhole, unknown to their parents. The incident was raised by their younger 5-year-old brother.
