The 
South Australian 
Naturalist 
VOL. XVI. ADELAIDE, MARCH, 1937. NK 4 
IN MEMORIAM. 
WILLIAM HAM, who died on November 12th, 1936, just 
before reaching his 71st birthday, was one of the oldest and most 
enthusiastic members of the Field Naturalists of South Australia. 
Thoroughly scientific and modern in his outlook, he yet remained 
a naturalist of the old school; that is to say, his sympathies were 
wide enough to include a love of everything animate and in- 
animate associated with the world of out-of-doors. His love of 
the open air, and of rambles in the bush, field, and beach, dated 
back to his earliest boyhood and were continued up to the time 
of his last illness. Mr. Ham had an abiding love of his native 
land, of which he knew the greater part, having wandered afoot 
over the West Coast, Yorke Peninsula, the Mallee Lands, the 
South East, Kangaroo Island, and the hills and plains around 
Adelaide, with occasional trips into the arid north. 
In 1890, he married Miss Janet Scandrett, of Kapunda, who 
survives him. His family consisted of two daughters: Una 
(Mrs. A. Randell), and Kathleen (Mrs. G. Draper). 
The information he gained from the many friendships with 
naturalists and bushmen — for Mr. Ham w r as a man who made 
friends easily, and retained his friendship's — this information was 
readily available for any enquirer into natural history. The 
characteristics which endeared Mr. Ham to his fellow naturalists 
were his genial and equable temperament, his readiness to take 
[■art in any suggested activity, and his unwearied desire to learn 
more and more of the secrets of nature. I have referred to Mr. 
Ham as a native of South Australia; actually he was born at sea 
in the “Lady Milton” on November 20th, 1865, tw T o days before 
arrival at Adelaide. 
