The St George Anglican Cemetery is Gawler’s oldest cemetery, established in 1861. Originally known as the Church of England Cemetery Gawler, it was designed by Canon Coombs, then Reverend Coombs.
Canon Coombs is buried in the center plot, a large area with the path separating down either side. W.H. Coombs died 23rd September 1896. The oldest graves are on either side of the center plot with many of Gawler’s early Anglican settlers buried there.
The church associated with the cemetery is over two kilometres away, on Orleana Square down Cowan St. St George’s Anglican Church is one of many beautiful churches in Gawler, one that is a must-see if you like looking at old churches.
There was an earlier cemetery for Gawler from 1847 until 1970. It was located much closer to where the St Geoge’s Anglican Church is, now called Pioneer Park where the Big Hand is.
The foundation stone of the first church to be built was laid in 1847. The Church was named after England’s patron saint (St George) and in honour of Colonel George Gawler.
Orleana Square, in the Church Hill district, was surveyed by Colonel Light. Colonel William Light is also part of the story of Dead Man’s Pass .
The first burial was for Amelia Underdown, died 9th September, 1861. Amelia died at Peachy Belt at the young age of 5 years and 11 months. There is no information I can find about Amelia’s death other than the location.
Peachy Belt was an area between Gawler and Adelaide in the 1800s, the name disappearing sometime before 1910. It is now only referenced by Peachey Road through Davoren Park.
Peachey Belt may have been derived from the quandong (or native peach) found on the plains. Another theory is it was named after surveyor Peter Peachey, however, he was not registered as a surveyor.
I found out the limited information of Amelia Underdown after I visited the cemetery, so I didn’t know to look for her grave. I didn’t notice it, nor if it is still there.
I did find a grave with a death that pre-dates the cemetery, of Caroline Emily Harris. It is of a joint burial with the later death in 1867 of Annie Mary Harris. Both were very young of only 7 months and 9 months respectively.