Harry DalePrint Page

The headstone over the grave commemorates Harry Dale who was killed by an elephant (Toby) in 1909.

Toby killed Harry Dale, a 40- year-old New Zealander, who was filling in as her keeper when Toby was loading heavy timbers in the goods yard.  As always, a large crowd had assembled to watch. According to some accounts, Dale had been particularly cruel in his handling of the elephant, hitting her repeatedly with a spiked hook. Toby tumed on him.

Dale had unwisely gone between the elephant and a railway wagon and was pinned. Toby "crushed him with its massive head, almost flattening the keeper's body against the side of the truck". Most of Dale's ribs were broken and his chest crushed "like an egg-shell". He struggled to his feet, ran a few metres, collapsed and died.  

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