OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 97, 20 January 1944, Page 4

OBITUARY

Mr. W. Russell Grace

The death occurred in Wanganui yesterday of Mr. William Russell Grace, aged 67 years, a son of the late Dr. Morgan Grace, Wellington, Mr. Grace was a veteran of two wars. He went to the South African War in his early twenties and at the outbreak of the last war he enlisted and served overseas as an artillery officer. ' Following his return from the South African War he was sheepfarming in the Pahiatyia district, but disposed of his interest there in 1914' to. settle his family at the old homestead, “Arles,” before leaving on active service. In his younger days he was interested in hunting and polo, and in 1906 he went to Christchurch to play in the polo championship in a team of which Mr.. Hugh Speed, Wanganui, was also a member. With Mr. Speed he also raced in partnership a horse named Springbok, and as an gmateur horseman his career was not Without success. With horses carrying his "own colours, hoWever, it was not till a little more than a decade ago that Mr. Grace registered major successes, specially in classic events. Smoke Screen won the Great Northern Champagne Stakes, the Manawatji Sires’ Produce Stakes, the Great Northern Guineas, the King’s Plate (at Ellerslie), and the Taranaki Stakes. With Mother Superior he won the A.R.C. Welcome Stakes, the Great Northern Foal Stakes and the Taranaki Stakes. View Halloo won for him the Avondale Guineas and Russian Ballet was successful in the Great Northern Champagne Stakes and the Wanganui Guineas. The last-named success was particularly gratifying to Mr. Grace, for he had been a member of the Wanganui Jockey Club for the past 40 years, a committeeman at varying times from as far back as 1903 and vice-president from 1937 to 1940, in which year he was elected president. That office he held for three years, retiring last year, by which time he had guided the affairs of the club through the years of the depression till it had entered a period of comparative affluence. Mr. Grace leaves his widow, two song, Mr. George Russell Grace, Hunterville, and Major Michael Grace, R.A.M.C., England, and a daughter, Mrs. Douglas G. Young, St. John’s Hill, Wanganui, Colonel J. H. H. Wood

N.Z.E.F. Official News Service. SOUTH PACIFIC, January 14.

The death occurred yesterday on active service of Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. H. Wood, N.ZjM.C., after a short illness. He was 45 years of age, and at the time of hid death was commanding the Second New Zealand Convalescent Depot. New Caledonia.

He graduated from Otago University, and was in general practice in llemuera before tho war, and also was in charge Of the physic therapy department, Auckland Hospital. He was a Territorial medical officer for 14 years. Later he bechrne senidr medical officer at a large mobilization camp, and then, in January, 1942, opened the Rotorua remedial training camp, .where many men from the Middle East have been fully restored to health. Since the depot opened in New Caledonia, about six months ago, many sick and Wotnded New Zealand soldiers have had the benefits of his enthusiasm and knowledge. ■ Lieutenant-Colonel Wood is.survived by a wife and three children. A short, simple ceremony was conducted at a military cemetery today, and the body was laid to rest with military honours in the presence of representatives of all units. The pall-bearers were Brigadier W. W. Dove, Brigadier J. M. Twhigg, Colonel E G. Sayers. Major N. J. Hawkins, Captain W. N. Mackie, and Lieutenant G. M. Hobson. Flight Lieutenant Harcourt The death oh active service of Flight Lieutenant Godfrey Simon Harcourt has been announced. He was the youriger son of Mr. aud Mrs. Stanton Harcourt, Hobson Street, Wellington, and grandson of Mr. J. B. Harcourt. Born in 1911, he received his primary education lit Wellesley College, and at Huntly. He then went to Wanganui College, and from there to Cambridge University, England, where he obtained his B.A. degree. He returned to New Zealand in 1033, and entered his father’s business as a sharebroker, being admitted to partnership in 1938. In 1941 he joined the R.N.Z.A.F., and left for England, where he completed his training. His active service embraced a very wide area, and he is believed to have flown one of tho planes which delivered the ultimatum to Pantellerla. At the time of his death he was flying bombers across Africa. Mr. W. H. Gifford

Mr. William Henry Gifford is dead, states a Press Association message from Tauranga. He was for 26 years editor of the “Bay of Plenty Times,” and four years chairman of directors. He was born in Lyttelton in 1576, and was married in Wellington in 1896 to Miss Alice May Eberlet, There are one son and two daughters, and two grandchildren. Mr. Gifford was a Hansard reporter from 1922 to 1941. At one time he was confidential clerk to Mr. R. W. McVilly, General Manager of Railways, and was also secretary and manager of the ‘‘New Zealand Times.” Mr. Edgar Swain Mr. Edgar Swain died this week at his residence, Waipawa,' aged 82. He was born in London and as a youth was on the Texas beef trail. Then he came to New Zealand and farmed in the Rangitikei. Next he conducted a coaching service from Ashburton. His health was Effected and subsequently he lived a retired life at Waipawa. Mr. Swain ,is survived by his wife, who, at 78, is the oldest music teacher in New Zealand, one daughter. Miss Dulcie Swain, Walptiwu, and three sons, Mr, I'l. W. Swain, Wellington, secretary of the Electric Power Boards’ Association, Mn N. Swain. R.N.Z.A.F., and Mr. L. EL (I’acifie).