MR THOMAS CHALKIER

Evening Star, Issue 19319, 4 August 1926, Page 6

MR THOMAS CHALKIER

A DISTINGUISHED ARTILLERY OFFICER. For the last twelve months or thereabouts Mr Thomas Chalmer was noticeably failing in bodily health, and the announcement of his death yesterday at his residences St. Clair caused no surprise. Occasionally during the past month ho managed to get out, but was always glad to return to his home. He was born in Victoria sixty-six years ago, and for a short period held a position there in the railway service. Coming to Now Zealand, he joined the Land and Survey Department. That was in 1879, and ho stayed in the service till 1893, by which time he had risen to the position of receiver of land revenue. To take up that office meant residence in Wellington, and, as that did not suit Mr Chalmer, he resigned, though pressed by Sir John MTlenzio to stay on. He then became associated with Mr G. S. Brodrick, and they eventually founded the firm, of Brodrick and Chalmer, which is still in existence. From March, 1908, to June, 1920, Mr Chalmer was chairman of tho Dunedin Fire Board, and he continued to sit as a member until April last, when he resigned. At tho same time he resigned from tho Invercargill Board, on which he had held a scat from 1923. For some years past he was assessor to the Otago Underwriters’ Association, and he also held the position of secretary of the Dunedin Garrison Hall Trustees’ Board. He held the local agency for the Liverpool and London and Globo Insurance Company, and was also agent for Reuters. He was a member of the Dunedin Football Club for some time, and was hon. treasurer of the Otago Rugby Football Union for two years.. Though in recent years he hut rarely put on his military uniform, it is as a soldier that Mr Chalmer will he remembered by old associates. Ho was, and is, and will continue to he looked upon as a father amongst our artillery officers, chiefly by his long connection with B Battery, He enrolled in 1879, the year after the name of the corps was changed from Dunedin Volunteer Artillery to B Battery. A. Hill Jack was then in command. Other members of the same period still with us are W. T. Monkman, R. S. Allan, W. Mills, 6. C. Proudfoot, S. N. Muir, J. R. Murray, Alex. Sinclair, and D. M. Spcdding. He became lieutenant in 1891, captain in 1894, major in 1902, was transferred to the reserve in 1902, obtained the rank of lieutenant-colonel in 1912, being appointed at the same time to command the Otago Field Artillery Brigade. In every capacity he was recognisedas being distinctively efficient and a fount of inspiration. B Battery has lost its title, but various changes that have come about cannot destroy its prestige. Men now serving with what is known as the Twelfth 4.5 Howitzer Battery realise that the old spirit of B Battery is still inspiring it, and even the juniors know and respect the name of Chalmer, whilst others who know the man will always think of him as the typical, compound of an officer and a gentleman. Mr Chalmer married Miss Brodrick. This lady survives her husband. Their son and daughter are now grown up. The burial is to be in private. Were it otherwise our citizens would attend in hundreds.