Roger Nunn William Bligh

In 1943, William Hollingsworth (74), a well-known identity in Mandurah, was said to be the oldest licensed fisherman in the State. In November of that same year he had gone into partnership with Roger Nunn William Bligh (70) of Thompson Road in North Fremantle. Their intention was to go shark fishing. They acquired two boats – one motor and one sail, as well as necessary gear, and left Safety Bay on Thursday 24 November to go down the coast. Bligh went in the motor launch named the Mary, whilst Hollingsworth proceeded in the sailing boat. They had arranged to meet outside the Mandurah sand bar – the first there was to anchor and await the other. When Hollingsworth approached Mandurah, he saw the Mary anchored about three miles from the spot they had arranged. He hailed the boat but there was no reply. He pulled up alongside the boat and anchored and boarded the boat. In the bunk was the dead body of Bligh. Hollingsworth managed to navigate both boats over the sand bar and called upon Dr. George to assist. Constable Rae from Fremantle took the body back to Pinjarra, from where it was taken to Karrakatta for cremation. Bligh had suffered from heart trouble and apparently must have felt an attack coming on, but had time to stop the engine, drop anchor and get to his bunk before he collapsed.

Bligh left behind his wife Stella, and children Arthur, Keith, Herbert (Darnley) and Phillip. Arthur went on to become a well-known Architect in Brisbane and his firm BVN Architecture continues to this day. Bligh’s middle name of “Nunn” was likely derived from his paternal grandmother – Elisabeth Nunn. Bligh’s great-grandfather was Rear-Admiral John Bligh, an officer in the Royal Navy who served during the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

Hollingsworth died in Fremantle in 1951.