The Tumut and Adelong Times 10 Sep 1935
OBITUARY
MR. DOUGLAS WILLIAM BURBURY
The news of the demise of Mr. Douglas William Burbury, which occurred at 4.40 p.m. on Friday evening at his residence, Merrivale-st., Tumut, came as a shock to the whole community, followed by a wave of sincere regret. The late Mr. Burbury was one of the best known and lovable personalities in Tumut district and for many years was associated with the Tumut Agricultural Association. His loss to the Tumut R.S.S.I.L.A. is a great one, for he was dear in the hearts of his fellow comrades in Tumut and was a Digger in the true sense of the word. We grieve to lose such personages, for their departure to the Great Beyond leaves our environs decidedly worse off. The sympathy of the town and district people alike will go out to the bereaved mother, wife, brothers and sisters, and in this we join. On Friday morning Mr. Burbury was in the best of spirits, but about 8.30 he took a bad turn and became gradually worse and passed away on Friday afternoon as stated. The late Mr. Burbury was born at "Park View," Jericho, Tasmania, on 26th June, 1885, and was the eldest son of the late Thomas J. Burbury and of Mrs. Burbury, of Jericho, Tasmania. He came to the Tumut district 26 years ago, to take up the position of bookkeeper at Ellerslie Station, Adelong. He later purchased a property at Gilmore, known as ''The Lagoon," and then he and his brother Robert took up a property at Wyangle, known as "The Poplars," and which they worked together till the time of his incapacity from work. In April, 1916, he enlisted for the Great War and was a lance-corporal in the 35th Battalion (Infantry). In 1920 he was married to Margaret, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sharp, of ''Greenhills," Adelong. Some two years ago he became ill and in April last he had to give up work altogether. During his illness he was attended by Dr. Harbison, Sister Pearce caring for him for the past five months. Mr. Norman Brown a very dear friend of deceased, came from South Australia six weeks ago to be near him in his last hours. His association with the Tumut A. and P. Association marked Mr. Burbury as a man of outstanding ability, and his familiar figure at the Shows will be sadly missed. He possessed a certain power whereby he was able to make the truism of life both splendid and impressive. The A. and P. Society found him indeed a warm supporter and a man not only prepared to give his time and energy, but his money, for the successful carrying out of the yearly Shows. It was with great regret that the Society had to accept Mr. Burbury's resignation after his recent election to the committee, owing to his ill-health. A keen member of the Tumut subBranch of the R.S.S.I.L.A., he took an active interest in all functions connected with the League, both socially and in the sporting sphere, he being an ardent member of the Diggers' Cricket Team. Mr. Burbury is survived by his wife, mother (who still resides in Tasmania), three brothers (Robert M., Thomas J., of Tumut, and Neil G., of Tasmania) and five sisters (Mrs. Percy Harrex, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Max Abbott, Miss May Burbury, of Tasmania, and Mrs. R. Johnstone, of Adelong Road). Prior to the funeral, which took place on Saturday afternoon last, a service was held at the residence by Rev. J. A. Malcomson, during which Mr. Brown sang "Nearer My God To Thee". The funeral was conducted with military honours. Sergt. Stewart and Constable Campbell and the Tumut Boy Scouts under Scoutmaster Granville, mounted on their bicycles, headed the cortege which was a lengthy one. The casket was covered with the Union Jack. At the cemetery gates the Scouts and members of the R.S.S.I.L.A. formed a guard of honour and bore the large quantity of beautiful wreaths and flowers to the grave. The symbol of ''Lest We Forget"— a sprig of rosemary — was evident in the buttonholes of the returned men. The pallbearers were Messrs. M. Archer, M. Macadam, N. Brown, R. Johnstone, P. Kemp and Verne Harris. A short service was held at the graveside, and Mr. D. Herron sounded the "Last Post". Rev. Malcomson made impressive reference to the life of the deceased and his many excellent qualities, both as a citizen and a fellow comrade. The funeral arrangements were conducted by Mr. C. W. Burt. |