DEATH IN EXILE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2311, 2 December 1925, Page 7

DEATH IN EXILE

SON OP A FRENCH DUKE. To be the son of a French duk e of very ancient lineage, to bo reared as a cabinet-maker, and to fight in two wars and finally die in remote Fiji, is in brief the life history of Mr. Thomas Le Clair Prancoour, who died on November 22 at the Suva Memorial Hospital. The above is briefly the story of a very old man, who claimed to have reached the great age of 98 years. He was born in Quebec, Canada, and educated ther.e He was then put to the cabinet-making business, and was so cover that his employer sent him, when only 18 years old, to execute some particularly fine (and delicate work in a church in London. In this he was so successful that many other similar commissions followed, ere he could return to the, landlof his father’s adoption. Then ho became entangled in the rebellion of Louis Riel and he played a gallant part in extinguishing the rebellion. Later he enlisted in the war in South Africa against the Zulus. About 20 years ago Mr. de Franooeur came to Suva and engaged in his old trade and soon became famous for the beauty of the work ho produced. He w’on a seat in the Town Council when over 70, and only two years ago contested a municipal election, but was defeated. He personally canvassed every house in the municipality for votes. For some years ho has lived alone and retired. His sole companions were two fox terriers, which used to sleep in bed with him. He was perhaps the oldest freemason in the Southern Hemisphere, havihg been ‘•made" in 1850 in Canada. He was present at the last installation here in July. His father was the Duque de Francoeur of Navarre.