People Australia

William Goldwyer (1829-1864) emigrated to Western Australia and was appointed a night warder at the convict establishment in March 1853. He later became constable (1855-1857) and then sergeant of Police at Dandaragan. He married Marie Antonia Kellam on 10 November 1859 at the Anglican Church, Guildford; they had two sons and one daughter. At the time of his marriage he was described as a master mariner.

In 1864 Goldwyer was selected to assist members of the Roebuck Bay Association in establishing a new settlement in the Roebuck Bay area in 1864. Shortly after arriving in the area, Goldwyer, Frederick Panter and James Harding set out to explore the area around La Grange. After they failed to return from their expedition a search party, led by Maitland Brown, was sent to find them. The men's bodies were found. It was said that they had been clubbed and speared in their sleep. The bodies were returned to Perth where they were given a public funeral.