Obituary MR D. C. McGILL

Press, Volume C, Issue 29621, 18 September 1961, Page 13

Obituary MR D. C. McGILL

The death has occurred in Christchurch after a long illness of Mr David Corbett McGill. He was 65. A tenor ballad singer, who in the 1930’s appeared with such famous artists as the Australian comedian, George Wallace, the English male impersonator Ella Shields, and the overseas soprano Miriam Lester, Mr McGill was particularly well known for his music hall performances in Canterbury and Westland.

He arrived in New Zealand from Cathcart, near Glasgow, in 1901, but even as a small boy he had sung in public in his home town.

His first appearance in New Zealand was made with the Fuller’s circuit and J. C. Williamson shows, when he sang with the contralto, Olga Wacked, in the prologue of a silent film, “The White Sister.” Mr McGill was never known to refuse to sing at local charitable organisations’ functions. These included the Commercial Travellers’ Association, the Christchurch Workingmen’s Club, and the Returned Services’ Association,

Mr McGill’s interests extended to sport, particularly Rugby, which was his other major interest. As a young man, he played for the Merivale Football Club and during the First World War played for an N.Z.E.F. side against a French team which included the famous boxer, Georges Carpentier.