Grave west of old Stresleki track

Explorers, some years ago i camped by the old Stresleki track on the way to Innamincka, and in the morning found an old grave way off the road. The coordinates are -28.508923, 140.308269 (Merty merty) My question is....does anyone know what the story behind it is??
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Sep 09, 2020 at 08:26

Wednesday, Sep 09, 2020 at 08:26
Do you have a photo of the grave, and who is buried there?

There is a very good Facebook Page here in South Australia and they could shed some light.
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Reply By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Wednesday, Sep 09, 2020 at 13:07

Wednesday, Sep 09, 2020 at 13:07
I just dropped a marker in ExplorOz Traveller to see where these coordinates were exactly - thought I'd share the map to see if anyone can shed some light on this for you.
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Reply By: Member - DOZER - Wednesday, Sep 09, 2020 at 22:12

Wednesday, Sep 09, 2020 at 22:12
Thanks Stephen and Michelle, I will ask about pictures, it was a lone grave in the middle of flat flood plane 500 meters west of the creek, there was an access road to it, the old grave had a long concrete cross on it and wire fence around it. Hadn’t thought about this for years till I read about an unfortunate fella who was buried alive in a well cave in...made me wonder if this was his grave.
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Reply By: Gbc.. - Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 09:35

Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 09:35
Harry Bird? Line 39 on the XL spreadsheet below.

https://oca.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/media/OCABurialsRegister300506.xls
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Follow Up By: Member BarryG - Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 10:19

Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 10:19
Hey Gbc,

Looks probable. (Apart from the distance given in the spreadsheet from Innamincka.)
But I found a link to a picture of the headstone that has an interesting write-up. Perhaps Dozer can match the picture with his memory?

Barry
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Follow Up By: Member - DOZER - Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 13:05

Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 13:05
Thanks for your input, it doesnt look thesame as the one i enquired about. This list is quite extensive, and good to have to reserch.
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Follow Up By: Member - Harry C - Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 17:15

Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 17:15
From my memory Harry Bird's grave was east of the track heading south and did not have a concrete cross but had a metal plaque. But I am talking 16 years ago.
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Reply By: Member - DOZER - Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 13:04

Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 13:04
Yes, same bloke i thought it may be, but it doesnt seem so. Looking at google maps, the grave i found is 100kms south of innamincka off the west of the old Stressy.
Nappacoongee Outstation is said to be 25kms wsw, which rules that one out....may just have to await the boarders lifting and plan to get that photo....Google seems to show 2 grave plots, large and small. From memory it was a family group
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Follow Up By: Member BarryG - Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 13:27

Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 13:27
But the write-up in the link I gave you says that the well was 50 miles from Innamincka which is about right for your position. The spreadsheet says "25 km WSW Innaminka; E side of Old Strzelecki Track S of Moomba Della Oil Field road to front of HS.". Your position is between the old and new parts of the track so could cause some confusion about East and West. It is South of Della Oil Field. Also, the story matches with what you heard. Can't explain the 25km though.

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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 14:30

Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 at 14:30
DOZER are the coordinates you gave correct? The map I posted shows that exact location - and if you look at the scale symbol in the bottom left, I just happened to pick the 500m scale and it seems to be exactly 500m west of the river as per the description so I also concur with BarryG that it all adds up.
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Follow Up By: Ozjourney - Friday, Sep 11, 2020 at 08:42

Friday, Sep 11, 2020 at 08:42
Found this photo, Harry bird grave
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Follow Up By: Member - Harry C - Friday, Sep 11, 2020 at 10:33

Friday, Sep 11, 2020 at 10:33
http://www.jaunay.com/bird.html

Think this is the link can't seem to be able to copy the link straight here. Hope it gets you to the story.
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Follow Up By: Member BarryG - Friday, Sep 11, 2020 at 11:39

Friday, Sep 11, 2020 at 11:39
Yes Harry, that is the same link that I linked to in my post above (click on the word "headstone").
Barry

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Follow Up By: Member - Harry C - Friday, Sep 11, 2020 at 12:01

Friday, Sep 11, 2020 at 12:01
Thanks for that. I missed your link. I pulled up at the grave site 16 years ago on a trip south from Innaminka. Like a lot of lonely graves very sad.
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Follow Up By: Member - DOZER - Tuesday, Sep 15, 2020 at 08:06

Tuesday, Sep 15, 2020 at 08:06
Thankyou everyone, i initially didnt think it could be Harry Birds grave, but now im am not so sure. Michelle, im pretty sure this is the right coordinants, from recollection of a trip 20 years back, i google earthed it. Im very glad to say the news of SA/NT boarders set to open after school holidays means i will be headed up that way to check myself :)
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