Charlie Nettleton’s pocket watch

Found in a private collection in Queensland and now at home in the Lightning Ridge Historical Society’s archives is a brass pocket watch with the inscription “C. Nettleton, Walgett”.

The watch is Elgin brand, made in the United States, and is no longer working, with visible damage to its face. The back cover is loose.

We do not know the provenance of the pocket watch, only that it bears the inscription “C. Nettleton, Walgett” and was found in Queeensland in a private collection, identified by someone who recognised the name and connection to our area. Government records show no other individuals with the name “C. Nettleton” in the region, historically.

We are confident this pocket watch belongs to “our” Charlie Nettleton, founder of the black opal industry.

Article: Edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz.