Pinjarra Massacre

The Pinjarra massacre was a battle that took place in Pinjarra, Western Australia. The massacre took place on the 28th of February, 1834. The conflict was between 60-80 Aboriginals of the Binjareb tribe, and 25 European soldiers and police officers who carried out the attack led by Governor Captain James Stirling. After the attacks on the displaced Swan River Whadjuk people and depredations on settlers by a group of the Binjareb people led by Calyute reached unacceptable levels, Stirling led his force after the party. Arriving at their camp, five members of the pursuit party were sent into the camp to arrest the suspects and the Aborigines resisted. In the ensuing melee, Stirling reported 15 killed and police superintendent T.T. Ellis

At 8am the party had rejoined the Murray River where the river was 30 metres wide, between steep red loam banks, continuing northwards to cross the Oakley brook at approximately 8.35am. The weather broke and it started to rain heavily as Captain Ellis, Mr Norcott and three of the police attacked from the south. The Aboriginal men gathered up their woomeras and spears, as the women and children fled towards the river, where Captain Stirling, Captain Meares, Thomas Peel and 12 others were waiting in hiding. Ellis was soon in a melee fight with the Noongars, and Norcott, recognizing a troublemaker called Noonaar. In the first charge of attacks five or more Aboriginal people were killed, and the remainder of the Aboriginal people turned and ran towards the river, hoping to cross and scatter into the hills. One of the eldest women in the tribe, Teelak, was shot dead with her 4 year old daughter violently screaming. Approximately 13 other children and women were then shot. There are conflicting reports in regards to whether or no women and children were also shot and killed, with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people claiming that this did happen. Just as shots were fired Stirling reacted quickly sent five men to prevent groups escaping south and guard the pack horses at the ford. Governor Captain James Stirling and fourteen others in a line ambushed the surprised Aborigines who had crossed the river and soldiers had fired at those caught in the ambush. By 10.05am it was all over and, because of the severe condition of the two of the European soldiers wounded, Governor Captain James Stirling decided to return immediately to