Gravestone symbol

[Billyblue]

It isn't joined, like a wreath.
Seems to be two arms of something ?
The little round parts at the tops could almost be clenched fists

Do you know where in Australia this gravestone is?

Kelvin Grove is also a suburb of Brisbane in Queensland

Dawn M

[Rosinish]

Kelvin Grove is also a suburb of Brisbane in Queensland

That's good to know Dawn as I was wondering about the name being split in 2 as Kelvingrove in Scotland is all 1 word.

Annie

[Billyblue]

Often wondered where the suburb's name came from

I see Wiki says it is named after Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow 

Dawn M

[Neilhilt]

The grave is on private land near Wingham NSW. 
Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of New South Wales (Taree, NSW : 1898 - 1954), Wednesday 21 May 1902.
Road — Wingham to Kelvin Grove.  Public Works Department, Sydney, 9th May, 1902.
Sir, — In reply to your communication, dated 3rd March, 1902, from Mr. Thos. Joyce, Hon. Secretary to the Dingo Creek Progress Committee, presented by you, relative to opening up of road through Mr. Johnstone's property, road Wingham via Ashlea to Kelvin Grove, I am directed by the Minister to inform you that he has approved of tenders being called for this work, returnable about the middle of June. I have, &c.,  J. Davis,  Under-Secretary. J. Thomson, Esq., MP.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/172471580 

James Johnston's wife died in 1902. (They had married in Sydney in May 1845 and had 3 daughters).  Harden is a long way from Wingham but the family liked the name due to links with home.
Goulburn Herald (NSW : 1881 - 1907), Wednesday 3 December 1902.
Harden, Monday. Mrs. Johnston, mother of Mrs. George Rogers, of Kelvin Grove died yesterday, aged ninety. Deceased was one of the oldest residents. She was a sister of the late Mr. John McCallum of Forest. Lodge, near Goulburn.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/100498791

Neil

[jeanlit]

Thanks Neil,
Jean

[GR2]

Always worth checking other gravestones of a similar period in the graveyard. It may be a device the mason used elsewhere.

[g eli]

Laurel wreaths look a bit like that.

[Rosinish]

Often wondered where the suburb's name came from

I see Wiki says it is named after Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow 

Not impossible but doubtful from this quote (bearing in mind James married 1845);

"In 1852 the City purchased land forming Kelvingrove and Woodlands Estates for the sum of £99,569 to create an area which is now known as Kelvingrove Park. It was one of many Victorian parks created in response to the appalling conditions created by rapid urban growth, resulting from the industrial revolution"

I have no idea when 'now' above refers to i.e. when it became a 'Park'?

However, I could believe the name 'Kelvingrove' (whether split or not) has some connection with James, whether he was born there or his father was?

Jean...

Have you tried all variants of surname Johnstone for his death? Johnston/Johnson/Jonson etc?
Seems incredible you have a "coroners inquest into his death" & no cert?
If you know where the inquest was, is there no/any way of being able to get his death record/cert. from the info. you have from the registrar of the area this occured?
You obviously have a date for the inquest i.e. there must/should be a death record?

Annie

[majm]

Civil registration for bdm commenced 1 March 1856 in New South Wales.

Burial on private property in rural/regional NSW was common  for much of the 19th Century.   Burial may well have occurred prior to Coronial Inquest.


JM