Mr R. S. W. Perry, Leader Of RSA

Northern Advocate, 2 September 1947, Page 4

Mr R. S. W. Perry, Leader Of RSA

OBITUARY

(Special.) KAITAIA, This Day. Particularly prominent in RSA circles, Mr Robert Sidney Wood Perry, of Kaitaia, died in the Mangonui County Public Hospital on Sunday morning, after a six weeks’ illness. Born in 1900 at Petone, Mr Perry was a son of the late Dr W. Perry, who was the first medical superintendent of the Mangonui County Hospital when that institution was opened at Mangonui some years before its removal to the present site at Kaitaia. Dr Perry lost his life in the 1914-18 war, and his wife is now living in Great Britain.

Mr Perry came to Mangonui with his parents at an early age, but was later educated at Christ’s College, Christchurch. As a young man he farmed at Kaikoura, in the South Island, and later in the Te Kuiti and Taupo districts of the North Island, before coming further north to Kaingaroa, where he was engaged as a timber worker, and later in business at Whangarei. In 1939 Mr Perry purchased a Kaitaia land and estate agency, but not long alter the outbreak of the recent war joined the National Military Reserve and later the expeditionary force. WITH 2ND NZEF In 1941 he embarked with the sth Reinforcements and in Egypt joined the 4th N.Z. Armoured Brigade. After a course of instruction, he served as armourer to the brigade in both the Middle East and Italian war theatres as staff-sergeant, and achieved a fine record in this specialised work, being exceptionally well-known and well liked.

Returning to New) Zealand after more than four years’ overseas service, he rejoined the army after demobilisation and until last December served as sub-area officer at Kaitaia, being finally discharged with the rank of war-rant-officer class 1..

Mr Perry keenly interested himself in RSA matters and was a capable executive officer. He was appointed secretary to the Mangonui County branch and, in this capacity, attended the recent Dominion conference as a delegate . ‘ Much of the work in connection with the association’s new hall at Kaitaia came his way and he was held in specially high regard in RSA circles. In 1923 Mr Perry married Miss Thomazena Miller, a daughter of Mr and Mrs E. Miller, of Auckland. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Mrs M. Waddell, and one son, Mr Dick Perry, of Kaitaia. Mrs R. Streeton, of Maidenhead, England, is sister. The funeral at Kaitaia yesterday afternoon was particularly largely attended, RSA members providing a guard of honour at St Saviour’s Anglican church-yard, where the Rev. D. H. Niblock officiated.