ASHBURTON is honouring the memory of the Devon explorer William John Wills, whose doomed expedition to cross the continent of Australia set off 150 years ago today.

The journey of Burke and Wills to find a route across the vast unknown interior, from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria, has become celebrated in the annals of exploration.

The party set off from Melbourne on August 20, 1860, with 37 camels, wagons and horses. But it soon became bogged down in acrimony and confusion. Burke and Wills, the expedition surveyor, succeeded in reaching the northern coast, where many before them had failed.

'But the party died except one, John King, who only survived because he was cared for by Aborigines,' said Ruth Westall, chairman of the Guild of St Lawrence.

Wills was born in Totnes but educated at Ashburton Grammar School – now the Chapel of St Lawrence, from 1845-50. They even have the bench he sat on, on which he carved his name with a penknife.

His father had a medical practice in Ipplepen, where William helped with the dispensing.

The anniversary will be marked with a visit to Totnes by the Australian High Commissioner and other dignatories.

Ashburton is marking the day by flying the Australian flag and opening its exhibition about Wills' life. Children will be able to take rubbings of the name during a fun day at the chapel, to include competitions and games, with prizes for the best painting of a camel.