William George Field ( – 30 November 1850)[1] also referred to as George Field,[2] was a British naval officer, first mate of HMS Rapid and deputy to William Light, who was responsible for design and survey of the city of Adelaide, South Australia. He was commander of Rapid in another journey to Australia 26 February 1838 – 19 June 1838.[3]

He has been credited with introducing orange trees into South Australia in 1837. Members of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia made headlines when they discovered his headstone in the Willunga Cemetery in 1981.[4] The Society has investigated the site and ruins of his homestead.[5]

Family

His brother, Henry Field, was an early pastoralist in the colonies of both South Australia and New South Wales. Henry's daughter, the writer K. Langloh Parker, was his niece.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Family Notices". South Australian Gazette and Mining Journal. Vol. VI, no. 385. 14 December 1850. p. 2. Retrieved 3 September 2025. – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "The Day We Celebrate". The Chronicle (Adelaide). Vol. 38, no. 1,950. 4 January 1896. p. 18. Retrieved 3 September 2025. – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Adelaide Shipping Report". Southern Australian. Vol. I, no. 4. 23 June 1838. p. 2. Retrieved 3 September 2025. – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Historic grave at Willunga". Victor Harbour Times. Vol. 70, no. 3,051. 21 January 1981. p. 14. Retrieved 3 September 2025. – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Historic homestead site in tour". Victor Harbour Times. Vol. 70, no. 3,060. 25 March 1981. p. 10. Retrieved 3 September 2025. – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Literary Gossip". Sydney Mail. Vol. XVI, no. 409. 28 January 1920. p. 20. Retrieved 4 September 2025. – via National Library of Australia.