AN UNSELFISH LIFE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 122, 19 November 1937, Page 7

AN UNSELFISH LIFE

PHILIP DE LA MARE BARCHAM

(By L.F.) "Philip Barcham was a man of big heart and great soul," remarked the Hon. P. Fraser to a friend, at the funeral yesterday. "He had a wonderful gift of language. I have heard him at many Anzac Day services; he spoke well and truly from the heart." The Minister also mentioned that he had had opportunities to see Mr. Barcham's self-sacrificing spirit of service in many ways, and the memory of that quiet work would be always warmly cherished. 'V

Friends of Mr. r J3archam know well that he was a firm'and'active believer in the lines of Wordsworth:— ' .

"Give all thoii canst; Kigh Heaven

rejects the lore '. . ; '• ' Of nicely-calculated less or more."

Smitten by gas on the Western Front, Mr. Barcham faced life with a weakened constitution after the war, and his health suffered a gradual decline, but he resolutely refused to be regarded as an invalid. Even when he was under imperative medical orders to rest he persisted with the honorary work of hospital visitor for the Wellington .Working Men's Club. During the past year or. two he must have known that every round, of visits among the patients ■'whom he gladly strove to cheer shortened his life. Indeed, he was told" that' fact, but he. gave no heed to' the warnings. ;. ::

Mr. Barcham had \an outstanding knowledge of printing.: He had'thoroughly learned the craft of typography arid was eventually a factory manager. He should have devoted himself 4o the profession of his: uncle, Walter de" la Mare, a famous: English .writer, for Philip Barcham proved himself adept in prose and verse. He had the insight necessary for literature and-the instinct for the right words. His talent is seen in the brochure which commemorated the diamond jubilee of- the Working Men's Glub in July! this year. This was only one of his many services to the club during many years; Here is the tribute of the manager,; Mr. Harry Shanks:—"Mr. Barcham's natural gifts of entertainment\ and willingness to ■ serve at all times made him almost indispensable from the social side of club life, but these were not his only attributes, as he: was an astute judge in matters of finance, and his efforts materially assisted in placing his club in the sound position which it now enjoys."

He was remarkably skilful with firearms. Even as a lad he distinguished himself in the big rifle matches at Trentham. With a pistol he could perform the rapid feats of accuracy credited .to the best performers of America's "Wild West." ■