John Charles Darke

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John Charles Darke (1806-1844) was an Australian colonist and explorer, the son of John Darke of Hereford and Elizabeth Darke, née Wedge, and brother of William Wedge Darke. In 1823 he departed England with his uncles Edward Davy Wedge and John Helder Wedge, and his cousin Charles Wedge, for Van Diemen’s Land (today, Tasmania). There he helped his uncle Edward Davy establish the farm “Forton” and his uncle John in his surveying duties.

In 1826 he joined Lieutenant Williams of the 40th Regiment in vigorous pursuit of Matthew Brady and assisted in the capture of the notorious bushranger. He also faced off against “Butcher Jeffries” in a shoot-out, and wounded the bushranger in the throat, capturing him a few days later.

In 1836 he crossed over to the newly settled Port Phillip District and established a sheep run, but left for South Australia in 1838 where he commenced as a Government Surveyor, but resigned in favour of his private interests. In 1840 he married Elizabeth Carter, but they had no issue.

In 1844 Darke led a small exploratory party in the desolate Eyre Peninsula. On the return journey his camp was attacked by aborigines, who speared him through the stomach and knee. He died the following day, and is buried at the bottom of Darke’s Peak. An obelisk and iron fence were erected on the site of his grave by the South Australian Government in his honour many years later.