Lying in his bed at his home in Warburton, his face, hands, feet and body thickly bandaged, Mr Bill Dafter, one of the crew at Richard’s mill, puffing a cloud of smoke from a well seasoned briar, told the story of how the mill was evacuated, and how he escaped from death in almost miraculous fashion.

That a fire was raging somewhere near was evident about mid-day, when burnt leaves and cinders began to shower around the mill, and the men prepared to ‘beat it’.

...Dafter drove alone in his car, bound for Warburton. It was getting quite dark, and all went well till about five miles from McVeigh’s, where the fire was blazing furiously all across the road. It was unthinkable to attempt to get through, and he turned back in the hope of striking the mill again.

Then at Porta’s mill – a run of about seven miles – his path was again barred by fire. He was trapped! Before he could turn the car again it caught alight, and as he sprang out he found himself entirely surrounded by flames. Seizing the only possible hope of escape, he lay face downwards in the middle of the road, and the fire roared over him. This was thought to be about 4 o’clock, and in the terrific heat Dafter became half unconscious.

When he was aroused by burning leaves or bark falling on him he tried to get up, but was too exhausted and burnt to do so. All night long he rolled on the road, suffering agonies and nearly blinded by burns. The wind was terrific. Great trees were uprooted and thrown into the air like matchwood, burning bark and limbs were flung in all directions, falling thickly around him all night.

About 6 o’clock in the morning, grievously hurt and in terrible pain, he struggled to his feet and attempted to walk. His feet were badly burned, but he crawled along as best he could in the direction of McVeigh’s. At 9 o’clock he was found by a search party (John Richards and J Larkins), who had taken about three hours to travel the five miles from McVeigh’s, so choked was the road.

The stricken man was taken to McVeigh’s, where he received every attention and kindness from Mr and Mrs H G Maxwell and their staff, and was eventually brought to Warburton by a ‘Herald’ car. His own car was destroyed. Just before Dafter was rescued he came to a CRB hut, by the side of which was a tank. Parched with thirst, he drank the water, which was hot, but it revived him considerably.

Read Ray's personal account from the Oral History section.

[HG, 21/1/39]