James Stirling

Sir James Stirling was born in 1791 in Scotland, to a family connected to Drumpellier, Lanarkshire, the Baronet of Faskine and Stirling castle. His Grandfather was an Admiral who influenced him greatly, and he entered the Navy at the early age of 12. 

Stirling campaigned for the establishment of the Swan River settlement, having been impressed with the land around the river when he had visited on the Success in 1826. He became the first Governor of Western Australia, administering the Swan River Colony for nearly ten years, first as Lieutenant-Governor and then Governor in 1831. He visited England in 1832 and stayed until 1834, during which time he was knighted. In the early days, the colony had difficulty obtaining food, and Stirling purchased supplies from Van Diemen’s Land and the Cape. Stirling initially advocated for tolerance when dealing with conflicts between the settlers and Aboriginal people.

During his absence in 1832-33 Captain Frederick Chidley Irwin acted as Lieutenant Governor. Irwin is associated with exacerbating the rising hostilities between settlers and First Nations people while he was in charge. James Stirling resumed his role as Governor and Commander in Chief from August 1834 to January 1839. 

Tensions heightened between settlers and Aboriginal people, with loss of land due to colonial grants. There was increasing pressure on traditional hunting and fishing grounds due to the growing population of settlers who diverted and infilled water supplies, introduced livestock and the fenced off land for agriculture.  Flour became a commodity and a dependable ration store, supplementing bush foods. An incident at the Old Mill in South Perth in 1834, where Pindjarup men led by Calyute took flour from Shenton's storeroom, contributed to the tragic events which unfolded later that year. Calyute was captured and taken to Fremantle Prison where he received 60 lashes. Upon release Calyute raided Thomas Peel's property near Mandurah killing a young servant in retribution. Under pressure from settlers, Stirling led his soldiers in a reprisal, with John Septimus Roe and Thomas Peel, in what is known as the Pinjarra Massacre, where at least fourteen Aboriginal people and one police officer died. Calyute was able to escape and lived a long life around Lake Clifton. Many of his descendants tell the story of the Pinjarra massacre today.

After his term as Governor in the Swan River Colony, Jame Stirling had a long career in the Navy, commanding ships in the Mediterranean and knighted by the King of Greece. He became an Admiral in 1862. He died in 1865 in Surrey, England, where he had been living in his retirement.

The capital city of Western Australia is named Perth, after its connection to Perth, Scotland. The City of Stirling is named for the Swan River Colony founder, Admiral Sir James Stirling. The Royal Australian Navy is located on Garden Island and is named HMAS Stirling.

An apology was issued by His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson Governor of Western Australia on October 28, 2025 for the Pinjarra Massacre.

An apology for the Pinjarra Massacre of October 28, 1834

Captain James Stirling - Government House Western Australia

There are sculptures in bronze of James Stirling in Hay Street, Perth and on Garden Island.

Captain James Stirling | Monument Australia