Captain Ballard's Grave facts for kids

Captain Ballard's Grave is a special burial site located on Home Island. This island is part of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in Australia. The grave is important because it tells us about early European settlers in the area. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on June 22, 2004. This means it's a protected historical place.

Who Was Captain Ballard?

Captain Ballard was an early settler who lived on Home Island. He moved there with his family in the mid-1800s. He was one of the first Europeans to settle on the island.

The Story of His Children

Captain Ballard had two children, a son named Dick and a daughter named Maria. Local stories say that Dick and Maria got lost near the shores of an island. This island is now known as Pulu Maria, and it was named after his daughter.

Where is the Grave?

Captain Ballard and his dog were buried together on Home Island. Their graves are located southeast of the old copra sheds. Copra sheds were buildings used to store dried coconut meat.

What Does the Grave Look Like?

There are two graves at the site. Both have edges made of bricks. One grave is larger, for Captain Ballard, and the other is for his dog. The larger grave once had a wooden headstone.

A Rare Historical Site

Captain Ballard's grave is a rare example of a European settler's grave from the late 1800s. It shows us how people were buried during that time.

The Grave Today

Over time, the graves have become quite old. In 1996, the bricks around the graves were broken. Plants and trees were growing through the burial plots. The wooden headstone had fallen down and was decaying.

The grave site is a bit hidden and can be hard to find. Experts believe it should be properly mapped and protected. This would help keep it safe from nearby dumping areas. The old wooden headstone also needs to be saved and looked after.

Why is Captain Ballard's Grave Important?

Captain Ballard's Grave is important for several reasons:

• It shows us that European settlers, like Captain Ballard and his family, lived on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the 1800s.
• It helps us understand the early history of Home Island.
• The story of his children, Dick and Maria, is a part of the local history of Home Island.

This grave helps us remember the people who lived on these islands a long time ago.