Richard Randall Knuckey

Richard Randall Knuckey (26 September 1842 – 14 June 1914), often referred to as R.R. Knuckey and popularly known as Dick Knuckey, was a surveyor on the Overland Telegraph Line in central Australia from 1871 to 1872. He later became chief officer at the electric telegraph department in Adelaide.

Early life Randall was born in Stithians, in Cornwall, England, on 26 September 1842, of parents Richard Knuckey and Persis Reed. He arrived in South Australia with his family in 1849 as a six-year-old, and was educated at Burra and Kapunda.

Career In 1866 he joined the survey department as a chainman, was soon appointed cadet and thereafter rose up through the ranks. Engaged by George Goyder as a second-class surveyor in 1868, he joined Goyder's expedition to the Northern Territory to survey Darwin and the surrounding country,

After successful completion of this section, he pushed on and oversaw construction of the line to Roper River and Daly. and Dalhousie Springs.