OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 77, 27 September 1918, Page 8

OBITUARY

DR, WALTER THOMAS.

A well-known citizen of Christchurch, Dr. Walter Thomas, died on Wednesday. The deceased was born in Glasgow in 1848, ana was brought to Melbourne by his parents at an early age. He received his education at the Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne, and the University of Melbourne, later graduating from the ■University, of Glasgow, in which ho was" the medallist of his year in materia medica. He commenced the practice of his profession in 1873 at Clunes, Victoria, later moving to Egerton. In 1882 he came to Christchurch and entered into partnership with Dr. John Guthrie senr., taking over the practice of the late Dr. John Campbell. He'had (says Christchurch Sun) been in active practice in Christchurch ever since, and though his health had been failing for, some time past it was not until last year that he retired and went to live in his late home on Papanui-road. The -deceased took an active part, in the volunteer movement, and was P.M.O. of the Canterbury military district up to the time of the inception of compulsory military service under the Defence Act. He was a lieutenantcolonel, and held the Long-service Medal. For 24 years he was the local editor of the New Zealand branch of the Medical Journal, and he held an associate decoration of the St. John Ambulance, of which he was a leading spirit for many years. Dr. Thomas was an ardent follower and supporter of all outdoor sports, and in his early days in Victoria, was a noted footballer and cricketer, whilst in his later days he won more than local fame as a bowler, and was secretary of the Christchurch Bowling Club for 14 years. He/held office in many of the sporting bodies of the city, .and was especially prominent in the New Zealand A.A: Association and the Pioneer A.A. and B. Club. Dr. Thomas was a keen Scot, and was very interested in the Canterbury .Caledonian Society, of which > body he was. vicepresident for over 20 years. He leaves a widow, two daughters, four granddaughters, and three sons, one son haying lately been killed, whilst fighting in France. .