Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of George John & Sarah MIDDLETON.

BROKEN HILL ISOLATED FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
BREAKDOWN GANGS UNABLE TO REACH
DERAILED TRAIN.
FIREMAN MIDDLETON'S BODY NOT YET
RECOVERED.
The fatal railway accident which occurred about 30 miles from Cockburn on the Broken Hill line has resulted in serious dislocation in the train service. Owing to washaways and  the roads being impassable, it has been impossible to reach the derailed train. The body of Fireman P. G. Middleton, which was beneath the overturned engine, but which it is  ow feared may have been washed away, has not yet been recovered. Broken Hill has been isolated from South Australia, except by aeroplane. The severe floods which caused the  derailment of the train on the Broken Hill line on Wednesday afternoon had not abated on Thursday, and owing to several washaways along the line and the roads being under  water, it was found impossible to approach the scene of the accident. The body of Fireman P. G. Middleton has not yet been recovered. The remaining members of the train crew—Engineman J. A. Bond and Guard G. W. Kahne—on Thursday morning established telephone communication with Cockburn.
Breakdown gangs were hard at work on Thursday repairing the washaways and endeavoring to get through to the wrecked train.
Breakdown Gangs at Work.
The Railways Department stated on Thursday evening that every endeavor was being made to clear the line for traffic and reach the scene of the accident Breakdown gangs were  working from both ends of the line, but the washaways extended over such a mileage that it was impossible to give any idea as to how the work was progressing or when the line  would he cleared for normal traffic. Officials stated that possibly an estimate in that direction might be formed by to night. Adjacent to the scene of the acci dent was a washaway  of seven chains, which had to be put in order before the wrecking crew could begin work on the derailed train. Several culverts over creeks had been destroyed, and the reconstructing of these meant a considerable amount of work. At present it was considered that train communication with Broken Hill would not be restored before Saturday night.
A message from Cockburn stated that on Wednesday 221 points of rain were registered at that town. The surrounding stations recorded falls of from 150 to 300 points. The  country for miles was under water, the creeks were overflowing, and all dams were full.
The Deceased Fireman.
Mr. Phil G. Middleton, the fireman who was killed in the accident, was the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. G. J. Middleton, of Quorn. He was born at Wallaroo in 1901 and was educated at the Burra and Port Pirie schools. When the war broke out he joined the Australian Naval Forces at the age of 15, and served on H.M.S. Australia and H.M.S. Warrego. On the  cessation of hostilities he joined the railways department, and was stationed at Quorn. With the transfer of the great northern division to the Commonwealth he removed to  Peterborough. He was a splendid athlete and excelled in boxing and as a footballer when in Quorn. He was a member of the Rover Football Club when that club were premiers of  the Quorn Association two years in succession. Since his retirement as superintendent of the great northern division Mr. Middleton's father has resided at Quorn. The remains will  be interred at Quorn.

THE LATE MR. MIDDLETON.
Gloom was cast over the town when the news of Mr. Middleton's death was made known. He had been granted his holidays, and was to be married very shortly. His fiancee left today for her home at Quorn. Mr. Middleton was the fourth, son of Mr. G. J. Middleton, who was at one time station master at Port Pirie, and later superintendent of railways at  Quorn. When he retired from the service he took over Jaffery's auctioneering business at Quorn, and still conducts it. The son was born at Wallaroo in 1901, and was educated at  Burra and Port Pirie schools. In 1916— he was then 15 years of age— he joined the Australian Naval Forces and served on H.M.A.S. Australia and H.M.A.S. Warrego. At the  conclusion of hostilities he joined the South Ausralian Railway, and was stationed at Quorn. With the transfer of the great northern division to the Commonwealth he removed to  Port Lincoln, and came to Peterborough about 12 months ago. He staged several boxing matches at Quorn, Port Pirie, and Peterborough, and was himself a champion pugilist. He  was well known in the north, and was very popular among the sporting fraternity. He was a prominent member of the Rambler football team at Peterborough, and had also played in the Quorn Football Association.

QUORN. February 16.— The late Mr. P. G. Middleton was a splendid athlete, and excelled in boxing and as a footballer. When in Quorn he was a member of the Rover football club  when that club was premiers of the Quorn Association for two years in succession. He was most popular, and much sympathy is felt for the parents and family, for his death  severs a link in a family of 10.