OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23806, 27 November 1942, Page 6

OBITUARY

* MAJOR F. A. ROCHE The death occurred yesterday of Major F. A. Roche, a well-known Christchurch businessman and commanding officer of one of the Christchurch Home Guard battalions. He was 49 years of age. Major Roche served in the Great War as a member of the Ist Canterbury Battalion, and was severely wounded while serving in France. Previously he was keenly interested in work with the territorials and this early training helped towards gaining a commission, which he held as one of the youngest officers in the overseas forces. One of the first to join the Home Guard on its establishment, he was given the command of units in the Sumner, Mount Pleasant, and Redcliffs districts, and on the Home Guard being taken over by the Army as a combatant force, he was given command of one of the original battalions, a command he held until his death. In civil life Major Roche was managing director of the Park, Davis Trading Company, Ltd., and was a prominent figure in the wholesale fruit and vegetable business. He also took a keen interest in the activities of the Christchurch Businessmen’s Club, and was associated with sports bodies in the Mount Pleasant district, * He is survived by his wife, two sons, one of whom was wounded recently in Libya, and one daughter. The second son is serving in the R.N.Z.A.F. MR J. D. MCLEOD The death occurred yesterday of Mr John Duncan McLeod, of Enfield, a prominent public figure in North Otago, and until recently chairman f the production council there, president of the Farmers’ Union, and the representative of combined district local bodies on the North Otago Rehabilitation Committee. Acting on medical advice, Mr I.lcyLeod retired last month from all public 'activities. Hd Was 55 years of age. He served on Gallipoli and in France during’ the last war, and was wounded in the second battle of the Somme. Mr McLeod was a son of the late Mr Malcolm McLeod, one of the pioneer runholders of the Mackenzie Country. Mr McLeod’s most prominent public service was undoubtedly that with the North Otago branch of the Farmers’ Union. After having been a member of the executive for more than 10 years, he was elected president on May 29, 1939, and his services in that capacity were outstanding. More recently the business community had appreciated his ability, which was recognised by his appointment to several organisations which required a knowledge of farming. When the local Primary Production Council was formed, Mr McLeod was appointed president, a position he held until his resignation in October. He is survived by his wife and three children, his mother, Mrs J. McLeod, and his sister, Miss J. McLeod (Oamaru), and two brothers, Messrs M. A. McLeod (Orari Gorge Station) and D. McLeod (Oamaru).