Henry McCrummin Keightley: Henry McCrummin Keightley arrived in NSW in on the 8th May 1853 onboard the 'Panthea' 511 tonnes under the command of Captain Hannant. Keightley's English departure point was from 'The Downs' situated ajacent to the southern North Sea near the eastern entry to the English Channel off the east Kent Coast. Whilst in England, Keightley it would appear was offered an opportunity to travel to NSW by Charles Grant Tindal, who at the time was visiting reletives in Kent, and who inconjunction with his brother Frederick Tindal owned a large cattle station at the the head of the Clarence River in northern NSW called ‘Koreelah' and which at that time was managed by Charles' brother Frederick Tindal. Another gentleman, and
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1853, — I think Keightley from your account of him, will do well. We have no news of him or of Walker as yet.” Keightley at the time was travelling by the quickest method to the remote area and that was by vessel up to the head of the Clarence River and close to ‘Koreelah’; Entry, June 29, 1853; – “Bateman arrived two days ago, leaving Keightley to follow by next vessel.” After arrival and by the end of July 1853, Keightley was for the first time involved with an attack against an aboriginal camp, where Tindal and Keightley surprised the occupants of the camp, which had the remains of the recently killed cattle in their possession; Entry, August 11. 1853, — “Blacks have been spearing our cattle here; and I only returned last night from the pursuit. We surprised two camps with the remains of beef in each. It was Keightley's first service, we were camped out eight nights. He is a lively amusing fellow. I prefer him to Bateman; but they are both too old." It is possibly here that Keightley develops his reported prowess with weapons, although at 23 it is hard to understand the too old remark but might refer to Keightley's limited bush
1853, — I think Keightley from your account of him, will do well. We have no news of him or of Walker as yet.” Keightley at the time was travelling by the quickest method to the remote area and that was by vessel up to the head of the Clarence River and close to ‘Koreelah’; Entry, June 29, 1853; – “Bateman arrived two days ago, leaving Keightley to follow by next vessel.” After arrival and by the end of July 1853, Keightley was for the first time involved with an attack against an aboriginal camp, where Tindal and Keightley surprised the occupants of the camp, which had the remains of the recently killed cattle in their possession; Entry, August 11. 1853, — “Blacks have been spearing our cattle here; and I only returned last night from the pursuit. We surprised two camps with the remains of beef in each. It was Keightley's first service, we were camped out eight nights. He is a lively amusing fellow. I prefer him to Bateman; but they are both too old." It is possibly here that Keightley develops his reported prowess with weapons, although at 23 it is hard to understand the too old remark but might refer to Keightley's limited bush