In Australia Tichborne case

thomas castro s butcher s shop in wagga wagga, australia

in october 1865 cubitt informed lady tichborne william gibbes, lawyer wagga wagga, had identified roger tichborne in person of bankrupt local butcher using name thomas castro. during bankruptcy examination castro had mentioned entitlement property in england. had talked of experiencing shipwreck , smoking briar pipe carried initials r.c.t. when challenged gibbes reveal true name, castro had been reticent agreed indeed missing roger tichborne; henceforth became known claimant.

cubitt offered accompany supposed lost son england , wrote lady tichborne requesting funds. meanwhile, gibbes asked claimant make out , write mother. gave lady tichborne s name hannah frances , disposed of numerous nonexistent parcels of tichborne property. in letter mother, claimant s references former life vague , equivocal enough convince lady tichborne elder son. willingness accept claimant may have been influenced death of younger son, alfred, in february.

in june 1866 claimant moved sydney, able raise money banks on basis of statutory declaration roger tichborne. statement later found contain many errors, although birthdate , parentage details given correctly. included brief account of how had arrived in australia: , others sinking bella, said, had been picked osprey, bound melbourne. on arrival had taken name thomas castro acquaintance melipilla , had wandered years before settling in wagga wagga. had married pregnant housemaid, mary ann bryant, , taken child, daughter, own; further daughter had been born in march 1866.

while in sydney claimant encountered 2 former servants of tichborne family. 1 gardener, michael guilfoyle, @ first acknowledged identity of roger tichborne later changed mind when asked provide money facilitate return england. second, andrew bogle, had worked sir edward many years. bogle did not recognise claimant, 189 pounds (86 kg) weight contrasted sharply roger s remembered slender build. however, bogle accepted claimant roger, , remained convinced until end of life. on 2 september 1866 claimant, having received funds england, sailed sydney on board rakaia wife , children , small retinue included bogle. living in sydney had raised weight on departure 210 pounds (95 kg), , during long voyage added 40 pounds (18 kg). after journey involving several changes of ship, party arrived @ tilbury on 25 december 1866.

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