King Marrum

“King Marrum” (Ernest Drage c.1888-1942) by Chris D. (Canvas 2200 x 1400)

 

Portrait of the artist’s Great Grandfather, featuring ‘Natures Window’ and the Murchison River.

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Starting in February 1941 my Great Grandfather, Ernest Drage began receiving communication from the Commissioner for Native Affairs whilst living in Ajana, Western Australia, about his Children.

A white lady, who was the Post Mistress at the Ajana Post Office, helped Ernest by transcribing several letters to the Commissioner for Native Affairs as he could not read or write. The lady wrote an initial three page letter which ended with the words now placed upon this painting of Ernest Drage.

Despite Ernest’s best efforts to explain his predicament the Commissioner for Native Affairs was not satisfied that Ernest was telling the truth.

Within hours of sending another letter Ernest became ill and was taken to a hospital, which left my Great Grandmother, Ada, to deal with the situation on her own.

Ada sought permission to go to visit him; the Permission Process was 4 months long. Her visit with Ernest was short as she had still had a 14 month baby and small children to care for back in Ajana.

Ada was in the process of organising and getting permission for a second visit to see Ernest and was due to see him in September 1942. However this wasn’t to be and before her arrival Ernest died on the 2nd of that same month, age 54; Ada was informed of his death by telegram.

Regardless any official explanations, the truth is my Great Grandfather died of a broken heart; a devastated man, alone, in place he did not recognize. The amount of pressure and stress that was placed upon him by the Commissioner for Native Affairs via a system that he could not comprehend was the true reason he passed.