OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 126, 30 May 1941, Page 8

OBITUARY

MAJOR T. FARR

A DISTINGUISHED CAREER

The death occurred this morning at a private hospital of Major Thomas Farr, D.5.0.. M.C, R.N.Z.A., of 50 Majoribanks Street. Wellington. Few officers were better known among overseas soldiers in the last war than Major Farr, who had a distinguished career. The youngest son of the late Frederick Farr, of Waverley, Major Farr was educated at the Moumahaki School, and afterwards became a pupil teacher under the Wanganui Education Board, but resigned from that position to follow the profession of a soldier. His career as such commenced in the Wairoa Mounted Rifles,

from which unit he enlisted in the permanent forces (Torpedo Corps) on December 14, 1900. He served for a number of years in that unit, and on its disbandment in 1911 transferred to the Regiment Royal New Zealand Artillery, in which- he served until his retirement on December 15, 1930. During the Great War he served with the artillery in France and Belgium, Egypt, Gallipoli. and with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, serving altogether for a period of over four years on active service. Major Farr left New Zealand with the Main Body of the N.Z.E.F. as a lieutenant, and was in the landing at Gallipoli. He saw service both at Helles and Anzac, and was promoted in the field to the rank of captain in July, 1915. On returning to Egypt after the evacuation he was first placed in command of all the artillery details at Alexandria, and on March 13, 1916, was appointed to command the 13th Battery, which unit he commanded throughout hostilities. He was promoted to the rank of major on May 6, 1917. IN EVERY ENGAGEMENT. Major Farr was, one of the very few N.Z.F.A. personnel who served in every engagement with the New Zealand Division from the landing at Anzac to the last push in August, 1918. Returning to New Zealand in January. 1919. he was posted back to the R.N.Z.A., and from that date until his retirement has held various appointments, chief of which were adjutant,! Wellington F.A. Brigade, staff officer! to director of artillery at G.H.Q., artillery instructor, G.H.Q. school at Trentham; artillery instructor, Cen- ! tral Military Command; officer commanding R.N.Z.A., Central Command; assistant adjutant-general at G.H.Q.; and for 13 months he carried out the duties of adjutant-general at G.H.Q. His last appointment was Commandant at Waiouru Military Camp last year, j Major Farr was awarded the Mili-j tary Cross and mentioned in dispatches i by General Sir lan Hamilton for ser- j vice? in Gallipoli, and was awarded t the Distinguished Service Order and | mentioned in dispatches by Field-Mar-j -;hnl Sir Douglas Haig for services in j France and Belgium. His war decora- j lions included the Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. He also possessed the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and the Long and Efficient Service Medal.

Major Farr took a great interest in all sport, having been an athlete himself, a keen footballer, and a member of the Star Boating Club. He took up golf in recent years, joining the Miramar Golf Club.

He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Mac Matheson, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Matheson, of Simon's Pass Station, South Canterbury.

The funeral will leave the Basilica, Hill Street, tomorrow after a service commencing at 2 p.m.