Design and Art Australia Online

amateur photographer and customs officer, was born on 16 May 1819 in Chatham, Kent, son of John Henry Sandrock and Charlotte n ée Spanton. Between 1834 and 1837 he worked in Barbados as assistant to Francis Mallalieu supervising the abolition of slavery in the West Indies. Afterwards Sandrock returned to England and worked as a clerk for a variety of commercial businesses until he was appointed relieving officer at Greenwich in 1843. Two years later, he married Sarah Maria Pain; they had five daughters. Sandrock resigned his Greenwich appointment in 1853 and sailed with his family for New South Wales on board the Princess Sophia . He had a number of clerical jobs in Sydney until 1863, then was posted to the Customs House, Rockhampton, Queensland. As an officer of the Church of England Aide Society, Sandrock helped raise funds for the erection of a new Anglican church at Rockhampton. Six years later he moved to Sweers Island, then was transferred to Bowen as sub-collector of customs (1873-85). In 1895 he left Bowen for Rockhampton. He died there on 7 June 1909.

Sandrock was a keen photographer, taking view photographs in the West Indies, Palmerston (Darwin), Bowen, Cardwell and Rockhampton. The Darwin photographs, taken between 1867 and 1873, show the area where the cable from Java and the overland telegraph line from Adelaide were to be joined. A photograph of Sandrock and his family standing under the Investigator tree, taken by Captain Sweet , is in a family collection.

Writers:

Staff Writer

Date written:

1992

Last updated:

2011