Obituary

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29250, 7 July 1960, Page 15

Obituary

MR R, C. BUCKENHAM Mr R. C. Buckenham, for many years a. farmer at Dunsandel, has died, aged, 64. Born and educated in England, Mr Buckenham came to New Zealand as a young man and after several years with the Ist N.Z.E.F.,' took up land at Dunsandel. While there he was chairman of the Dunsandel branches of the Farmers’ Union (now Federated Farmers), and, the National Party and was also a member of the Ellesmere Golf Club. In World War II he was a member of the production committed and the Home Guard. , Mr Buckenham was keenly interested in horse racing .and was a member of the Canterbury Jockey Club and the Ashburton County Bating Club. He had two successful gallopers. Pleasure Bent and Lucky Sal. Mr Buckenham is survived by his wife and two sons, Mr Parker Buckenham, who is farming at Dunsandel, and Mr Michael Buckenham, who is a senior lecturer in mineral engineering at the University of Otago.

MRW. J. G. McLEOD

“Mr Mac,” a well-known figure to thousands of Navy and Air Force officers and men, died in Christchurch this week. He was Mr Walter John Gear McLeod whose service friendships embraced. the Royal Navy, the Royal New Zealand Navy, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Army, and even the United States Antarctic expedition. Mr McLeod, who was 62, was born in Barnstaple, Devon, and jdined the Royal Navy as a sea-man-boy. After serving in minesweepers during World War I he was sent on loan to the former New Zealand division of the Royal Navy and retired with the rank of chief petty officer. Recalled to the service on the outbreak of World War II he tSe

■rved in the Philomel (Auckland! and in the Achilles and Leander (overseas). He also directed the training of many Wrens.

in one period of his naval service. Mr McLeod could boast that he had served as steward to four Governors-General of different parts of the Commonwealth. More recently Mr McLeod served as wardroom steward in the Philomel and for the last nine years he was steward in the No. 1 officers’ mess at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Wigram. He is thus known to hundreds of officers and guests from other services who Have passed through the mess.

For the funeral at the Ruru lawn cemetery there were six

Air Force pall bearers. Representatives of all three armed services and of the United States Navy VX squadron attended. The Wigram chaplain (the Rev. Kenneth Schollar) conducted the service and “Last Post” and “Reveille” were sounded by an Air Force trumpeter.

MR A. E. PORTER

Mr A. E. Porter, who died in Christchurch oh Monday at- the age of 78 was associated with cycling ag a competitor , and administrator tot 60 years.' He was affectionately known by alb associated with the sport as “Dad”’ Porter, and was known Squally as well in Australia as New Zealand. , So keen was he on cycling that wherever there Was a major . event anywheres between Auckland and Bluff. "Dad” Porter was bound to be there.

He was a foundation member of the i original Christchurch Cycling Club, which ’was formed more than 60 years ago. Much of his cycling was done in Auckland, but when he came to Christchurch he was more successful His greatest success was the Winning of the Waimate-to-Christ-church event in 1932 at the age of 50. The roads for this race were heavy with shingle, and for the last 58 miles he rode alone.

At the age .of 55, he retired, but his love for the' sport was too strong; f<*ir 'years later he brought his -cycle out and started training once more for the Christ-church-Kaikoura race. When W. Mackie in the early twenties won the Timaru«toChrlstchurch race “Dad” Porter was the oldest rider to complete the course and also the oldest competitor He gave much back to the sport, and managed Harris Horder on his New Zealand tour. Border, an Australian, had iu#t won the American championship., which was . then the world’s championship.

Mr Porter played a vital part in Gordon Lukeyestablishing two unpaced records, one Trom Auckland to Wellington, and the other from Christchurch to Invercargill These two,records still stand. Mr Porter trained Lukey for these two record breaking rides Almost until his death he showed a great interest in the sport Although not in the best of health he was out to see the racing at Southbridge last -Labour Day. He influenced both his sen and grandson to- become enthusiastic cyclists. Mr Porter is survived by his. wife, two daughters and a son.

MR K. C. AEKINS

INew Zehlana Ptess Association) AUCKLAND, July 5. Mr K. C. Aekins, one of Auckland's best-known lawyers, died suddenly in Auckland today, aged 66. Mr Aekins had been a vicepresident of the Auckland Returned Services’ Association since 1949, and a member of the executive since 1942. For .12 years he was president of the Royal Federation of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and for last two years had been vice-presidqnt. He was 'awarded the 0.8. E. in 1955. Mr Ackins, who was the holder of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association Gold Star and Certificate of Merit, served inWorld War One with tire advance party in Samoa in 191,4 and later in France with the 3rd -Wellington Infantry Battalion. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1930 and as a barrister in 1935.