George David Silva

George Silva
George Silva
Born	1884; Australia
Died	10 June 1912; Brisbane, Australia
Cause of death	Execution by hanging
Criminal status	Executed
Conviction(s)	Murder
Criminal penalty	Death

George David Silva (1884 – 1912) was an Australian mass murderer. Silva, who was of Sinhalese descent, worked as a farmhand on a property owned by Charles Ching at Alligator Creek, about 20 miles from Mackay, Queensland.

On 16 November 1911, Charles Ching told Silva he was traveling to town for supplies and money for Silva's wages. While he was away Silva murdered the six Chings after the eldest daughter Maud had rejected his advances. The bodies of Agnes, Maud, Hugh and Winnie were found in the house. Mother and eldest daughter had been shot by a revolver and a muzzle-loading rifle, while the boy and baby had their skulls smashed in. The bodies of Teddy and Dolly Ching were found a mile and a half away; both had been shot and their skulls smashed in.

Police and aboriginal trackers inspected the crime scene, and after the trackers stated that there was no trail to follow the police homed in on Silva. Silva, fearing a lynch mob from Mackay, eventually confessed to police.

Tried only for the murder of Maud Ching, Silva was hanged at Boggo Road Gaol in Brisbane on 10 June 1912 and buried in South Brisbane Cemetery.[1]

Victims

Plaque at the burial site in South Brisbane Cemetery of those hanged at Boggo Rd Jail. Silva's name is third from the bottom.

Agnes Ching, wife of Charles Ching
Maud Ching, 17 daughter of Charles Ching
Teddy Ching, 10 son of Charles Ching
Dolly Ching, 8 daughter of Charles Ching
Hugh Ching, 4 son of Charles Ching
Winnie Ching, 20 months daughter of Charles Ching

References

Silva George David Archived 13 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine — Brisbane City Council Grave Location Search

Main, Jim ‘’Hanged , Executions in Australia’’

External links

Tragedy at Mackay, The Sydney Mail (22 November 1911)
A terrible tragedy, Northern Territory Times and Gazette (15 December 1911)
Fearful tragedy, Poverty Bay Herald (20 November 1911)
Queensland murder case, Poverty Bay Herald (21 November 1911)
The Ching tragedy, Poverty Bay Herald (20 November 1911)
The Ching tragedy, Poverty Bay Herald (30 November 1911)

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[1] Silva George David Archived 13 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine — Brisbane City Council Grave Location Search