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James William Humphreys joined the navy as a boy in 1837.
He was born either in 1823 or 1826 (sources vary) in Barbados the son of James Pilgrim Humphreys. He settled in Australia in 1853 where he was a saddler and died in 1917. Any information on the name Humphreys or its variants in Barbados would be greatly appreciated. The discovery that he was born in Barbados came from his seaman's ticket and after 22 years of fruitless searching, has been a very exciting find.
He was interviewed in 1910 on the occastion of the visit of Lord Kitchener to Australia and I include the article on a very interesting life below
The Advertiser 1 February 1910
A VETERAN VOLUNTEER. SOME REMINISCENCES.
"I shall be unable to go and see Lord Kitchener. I could not get up those steps in Adelaide, and then again you know I do not like to stand in the sun, for I'm 83 years of age." Thus spoke Mr. J. W. Humphreys when questioned on Monday afternoon by a representative of "The Advertiser," who had asked the old gentleman if he were going to attend for inspection by the Field Marshal. Mr. Humphreys was a member of the Reedbeds Cavalry in 1862 under Captain Fergusson
His memory now is not so good as it was a few years back. He said:-"I do not know how long I was connected with the volunteers, but I know it was only a short time, for I left them when I went to Yankalilla to live. When I joined them I was living at Port Adelaide. I came to South Australia in 1852. I came out as third officer and chief storekeeper of the ship William Stewart and five weeks after I landed I got married and entered upon my trade as a saddler in North Adelaide.
The William Stewart had 370 passengers. The vessel would have been lost but for me on the iron-bound coast of Kangaroo Island. The boatswain was supposed to be on watch, when one morning I went on deck and there saw the coast close to us. I called the boatswain's attention to it, and the captain came on deck. The vessel was very quick in stays. She was rounded in a trice. I twice saved that vessel. On another occasion the second mate got to one of the rum casks amongst the stores, got drunk, and set fire to the cabin. I happened to notice the fire, and with assistance had it extinguished." You served under the flag before your arrival in South Australia, Mr. Humphreys?
"Yes. But if you want my history you must give me time to think. My memory is not now so clear and retentive as it was. I served my time as a saddler in the West Indies. When 16 or 17 years old I left the trade and went to sea in the yacht Cygnet. She was engaged by an old gentleman-I'm sorry I can't think of his name-for the purpose of cruising about the islands to pick out suitable spots at which to establish coal depots. We were going from Nassau, New Providence (one of the Bahama group), to Turk's Island, when the Cygnet ran on the coral reef near Conception Island. We remained stranded there until we were taken to St. Thomas Island by the captain. Subsequently I joined the Royal Navy. I shipped on the sloop Gleaner and remained a while in her at the West Indies.
Going to England, I went to the west coast of Africa in the Wilberforce, and was transferred from her to the Pantaloon brig. We went right down the west coast in her, cutting down slavers. She was in charge of Commander Lapidge. Lieutenant Bawden-Smith was second in command. He subsequently became an admiral. I was transferred from the Pantaloon to the frigate Madagascar, under Commander Foote. Going back to England I joined H.M.S. Hekla, which had been ordered to proceed to Acre. I there expected to get my active service medal, but we never fired a shot. We had to leave with dispatches. Subsequently I was engaged on the Volage with Captain Graves, in survey work in the Mediterranean. Afterwards I served in the P. & 0. Company and the Royal West India Company, and then I came to South Australia."
For nearly two years Mr. Humphreys has resided with Mr W Uden, the veteran signalman at the Semaphore. He lost his wife several years ago. Two sons and two married daughters survive. One son (Mr J. W. Humphreys) is Mayor of Port Wakefield. The other son (Mr. A. Humphreys) is employed in the Government service. His daughters are Mesdames A. Wald and W. Johnstone.
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