- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -OBITUARIES- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Click on name to access information:

On Wednesday we reported the sad news that Miss Josephine Barron had passed away on Sunday night, following a collision with a cycle at a race last Saturday week. Her age was 21 years and 6 months. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in Narrogin, seventy-eight cars following the remains to the Narrogin Cemetery, where the Rev. Father Sheridan performed the last rites. The chief mourners were her father and mother (Mr and Mrs J Barron), Mr and Mrs D Barron, Mr and Mrs H Barron, Mr and Mrs J Turner, Elma Barron (Sister Dominic), Cyril Barron and Rene Barron, The bearers were Messrs A P McCormick, F Barnett, J Brennan, L Pettit, J Dowsett and W Williams.
A tremendous array of floral tributes covered the grave, among them being wreaths from the following:-

No surprise was felt on Monday morning last when it became known that Mr. J. A. Greig, M.L.C., had passed away at is home in Grant Street, after an illness of some duration. The sad news, however, was received in many quarters with profound regret, and as the information spread throughout the district and State generally there soon arrived by wire many messages expressive of the feelings of others in distant parts, who desired to condole with the widow in her dire affliction.
Mr. Greig had been a sufferer in more or less degree for some years past, but owing to the skilful treatment received from his medical advisers he was enabled to carry on his official and social duties until a few weeks since, when he was compelled to take to his bed. It is possible that had he not shown such a conscientious regard for the interests of his constituents, his complaint might have proved more amenable to treatment and the sufferer spared to his wife and friends for many years; but like many other men engaged in public duties, he consented to sacrifice himself rather than incur a reproach, however innocent its intent.
It is men of this type who have made Australia and the Empire what it is, and naturally in Mr. Greig those other essential qualities which go with men of character were strikingly manifest. He was a big man in stature and big in heart. If his ability as a speaker was not of that high order which excites the popular fancy he yet had a breadth of vision and a rugged honesty of purpose which could not be denied. Slow to express a definite opinion, cautious in his summing up of men or debatable questions, he showed an innate desire to be just, and it was on this account that his opinions were always treated with respect. Naturally in a man of this temperament there was no quibbling with the matter at issue, and no withdrawal once a decision had been made. This characteristic found expression on more than one occasion. But whatever the effect, his constituents one and all recognised that the deceased gentleman had conscientiously acted in accordance with his convictions and that he was doing what he considered best in their interests.
The late Mr. Greig was an honest man and a Christian gentleman, and only those who were intimate with him knew the value of his friendship and the noble aspects of his nature. We can speak feelingly in this regard because of a long and continued friendship which was never broken, despite the contentious differences that had occurred at times over public matters. He was a stalwart in the ranks of the Country Party and a firm friend of the man on the land.
First elected unopposed to the Upper House on the death of the late Mr. G. M. Sewell in 1916, he faced the electors again in 1920, when he was again successful.
He arrived in this district some 20 odd years ago and settled in the Williams district where he was engaged in sheep husbandry until his Parliamentary duties compelled him to relinquish the property. Since then he had resided in Narrogin. He was 52 years of age and a native of South Australia. During the last few weeks prior to his demise his sufferings were intense, but throughout he showed great patience in the face of the known fact that his case was hopeless.
He was a Christian man in every sense of the term and his faith and indomitable will were exemplified throughout. Our earnest sympathy and that of the whole of the district must be extended to his widow, whose unceasing vigil was unbroken by one gleam of hope during the agonising period of her husband's illness. Brave little woman that she is. In this, her darkest hour, may she feel that the kindly thoughts of all are with her in the bitter loss she has sustained.
The funeral took place on Tuesday at 3 p.m. and was attended by a large and representative gathering, which included Messrs. E. H. Gray, M.L.C (representing the Hon J. M. Drew, Minister for Education and Leader of the Upper House), Hector Stewart M.L.C., and Brown, M.L.A. (member for Pingelly), and many district residents and others from Pingelly, Brookton, Williams, Wickepin, and other centres. At the graveside in the Methodist portion of the cemetery a striking tribute to the character of the deceased was shown in the presence of the Revds. Lindley (Methodist), Needham (C. of E.), Strickson (Baptist), and Walker (Presbyterian) all of whom subsequently took it in turn to conduct the burial service.
The address was delivered by the Rev. Lindley, who feelingly expressed the thoughts of all present in stating that the late Mr. Greig has passed away in honour after a career of usefulness both as a public and private citizen. He felt that it was such men as the late Mr. Greig who created a standard which served to guide others, and although he had passed beyond all earthly ken his noble and unselfish character and the memory of his good works would still live to serve as an influence on those who survived him.
The coffin was borne to its last resting place by Messrs. J. H. Shilling, J. R. Potts, M. L. Reid, H. Manning, W. H. Gould and H. V. Carne (Williams, whilst the following acted as pall-bearers, viz., Messrs, Gray, M.L.A., H. Stewart, M.L.C., Brown, M.L.A., E. J. Modra (Cuballing), W. Glasheen (Harrismith), and E. S. Hall. The arrangements were in the hands of Mr. F. Wald, and on conclusion of the service, wreaths were laid upon the grave from the following:-