Frederick Henry Handcock
Frederick Henry Handcock | |
|---|---|
| Born | Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland |
| Died | November 28, 1847 (aged 30–31) |
| Occupation(s) | Pastoralist, horse racing participant, overlander |
| Known for | Early South Australian pastoralist and horse racing pioneer |
Frederick Henry Handcock ( – 28 November 1847) was a trailblazing pastoralist in South Australia, an avid horse racing participant, and an experienced overlander.
Origins
Handcock was born in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland, into the landowning Handcock family associated with the peerage of Baron Castlemaine and the estate of Moydrum Castle. Motivated by prospects in pastoral activities and land investments, he arrived in South Australia in July 1837 aboard the from Launceston, Van Diemen's Land.
South Australian pioneer
He originally received the grant for Adelaide Town Acre 629, located on the southern side of Gilbert Street. Although he never occupied any official public position, Handcock was among the early settlers who held considerable influence. In December 1837, he accompanied Colonel William Light on an expedition that led to the naming of the Barossa Range and Valley. His mare Taglioni participated in South Australia's inaugural horse racing event on 1–2 January 1838.
In early 1838, Handcock formed a partnership with James Fisher (son of James Hurtle Fisher) to establish one of Adelaide’s first sheep stations near the Little Para River and Gould Creek. Colonel Light created a painting of their homestead in January 1839, which is now part of the collection at the Art Gallery of South Australia. The nearby Hancock Hill at Yatala Vale carries his name, albeit with a misspelling.
Horse racing and sporting life
Handcock forged strong connections with the Jones brothers—Henry and Frederick—and particularly with Fred Jones, who transitioned from London oil merchants to Adelaide investors. He also developed a friendship with explorer and stockholder John Hill. Together, they played a pivotal role in advancing horse racing in South Australia and were founding members of the South Australian Club, which later evolved into the Adelaide Club. In August 1838, riding his grey gelding Charley, Handcock secured victory in South Australia’s first steeplechase race.
Overlander and pioneer pastoralist at Chowilla
Active in pioneering pastoral enterprises across rural South Australia, Handcock frequently appeared in contemporary newspapers (often under the misspelling Hancock). In early 1846, Handcock, Fisher, and Fred Jones journeyed to New South Wales aboard the Templar to purchase a substantial number of cattle and horses. They then overlanded this livestock to establish operations on the Chowilla floodplain along the Murray River, becoming the inaugural pastoralists in the Riverland area near Renmark. Due to incidents of livestock theft by local Aboriginal groups, Handcock sought police protection for his properties close to the inter-colonial border. In 1847, he advocated for distributing flour and blankets to Aboriginal communities near the Rufus River.
In September 1846, Jones, Fisher, and Handcock took part in a widely attended 'Grand Steeple Chase' event held in Adelaide. Riding Jones' gelding Highflyer, Handcock placed second. This race was immortalized by George Hamilton in a painting now housed at the Art Gallery of South Australia. Although labeled The first steeplechase in South Australia, earlier races had taken place, including those featuring Handcock himself.
Accidental death
In November 1847, Thomas Frederick Bailey (sometimes spelled Baily), a 25-year-old pastoralist residing near Lake Victoria, disappeared. At that time, Handcock, aged 31, undertook a search for him; tragically, both men were discovered deceased at Limbra Creek. Bailey had suffered a fatal injury when he slipped while crossing the flooded creek and was struck by a horse’s hoof. Handcock, an accomplished horseman but unable to swim, drowned nearby as he tried to retrieve Bailey’s body. Their remains were brought to Adelaide in lead-lined coffins for interment. The joint funeral was delayed for over a year and eventually held on 7 December 1848 at West Terrace Cemetery, where they were buried side by side.
After these fatalities, Jones vacated the frontier station. The property was subsequently purchased by pastoralist John Chambers, while Ned Bagot went on to establish the adjacent Neds Corner Station.
Legacies
Hancock Creek in South Australia, which supplies water to Lake Limbra, along with a sand dune near the Murray River overlooking Wompinni Station—now known as Hancock Hill in New South Wales—both commemorate Handcock’s name, albeit with a spelling error. Although these landmarks are only a few kilometers apart, they lie on opposite sides of the South Australia–New South Wales border.
Handcock, who remained unmarried throughout his life, was celebrated for his charming and high-spirited nature, enlivening colonial society through pursuits such as horse racing. His charismatic demeanor earned him considerable esteem among settlers, particularly those connected to the peerage of Ireland. His sudden passing deeply affected Adelaide’s community and inspired significant public tributes.