Phenomenal work everyone, I am delighted to find out so much information! I am genuinely surprised that so much is available on this man. My grandmother just had that photo of him from Australia and knew nothing more. She will be very happy to find out that there was more to his story.
This may be a possible match (News article from “The Queenslander”, Saturday 5 February 1887)
February 2. News was received to-day from Bloomfield that the aboriginal mission station there was stuck up on Monday by a mob of aborigines, who plundered the store and took everything procurable. Haskett, the man in charge, left with his wife and family and took refuge at the police camp at Ayton. Senior-constable Talbot, with Haskett and several miners, proceeded to Bloomfield next day.
IF it is (a big IF) Mick Haskett, then this article would suggest that he has a family, but there is no mention of Mick at all, so it could be another Haskett.
Another article from “The Townsville Daily Bulletin”, Saturday 16 March 1912, page 3 mantions his mother Ann:
In the lands and good of Michael Haskett, late of Thursday Island. Federal Civil servant, deceased intestate. Application on the part of Reg inald J. S. Barnett, the duly constituted attorney for Annie Haskett the mother of the above-mentioned Michael Haskett, deceased, and the Intended administrator of the lands and goods of the said deceased, for the direction of the Court, that the administration bond of the South British Insurance Company, Ltd., in the sum of £3602 may be accepted for the due administration of the estate of the said Michael Haskett, deceased, instead of the usual bond with two sureties, and that the costs of this application may be allowed out of the said estate. (Messrs Roberts, Leu and Barnott. solicitors for administrator.) Order as per summons, as amended.
