OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 6 August 1928, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR WILLTAM DOUGLAS

The death occurred on-,3rd August, at his son’s residence at Wakefield, of an old Nelson identity irrth.e person of Mr William Douglas. Born in Edinburgh he came to New Zealand in 1864, landing at the Bluff. 'He and mates worked their way harvesting, etc., to the Coast diggings and finally on to Nelson. By occupation a bootmaker, •he worked for many years for' the late Mr J. White, of Bridge street, and also for the original firm now Healy and Son, and finally on his own account. ', " - .

An enthusiastic bandsman, the late Mr Douglas was a member of various bands formed in Nelson, viz,, Oakey’s, Nelson Fire Brigade, Artillery, Bijou and Nelson Garrison. He was an old member of the Nelson Fire Brigade, and was attached to the Volunteers, holding the Imperial and New Zealand long service medals, and for long and efficient service had the rank of hon. sergeant for life conferred on him by the late Colonel Wolfe. ' Mr Douglas was. a member of the Loyal Nelson Lodge of Oddfellows and of Court Robin Hood Order of Foresters, having passed through the district chairs in both orders and being a valued trustee of the Foresters. A man of upright and sterling character, “Old Dougal” as he was familiarly called, worked at his trade up till eight weeks ago, when sickness compelled him to lay down i his to Js. He passed peacefully away on Friday evening, leaving a family of three sons jo mourn their loss. REAR-ADMIRAL BLUNT United Press Association-By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright Australian Press Association CAPETOWN, 2nd August. The death is announced from blackwater fever in Kenya of Rear-Admiral William Frederick Blunt, who was in command of H.M.S. Gloucester at the Battle of Jutland, and saw much service elsewhere in the Navy during, the war. He afterwards settled at Baharini. Lake Solai, in the Kenya Colony. He was 58 years of age, and leaves a widow and two sons. The late Rear-Admiral William Frederick Blunt, C.8.E., D. 5.0., was well known in New Zealand at one time, being in comfnand of H.M.S. training ship Pioneer in 1909 and;the following year. On returning to England lie was promoted to the rank of captain and took command of H.M.S. Hawke, in which he had the misfortune to collide with the White Star liner Olympic in Southampton Water. During the Great War he commanded H.M.S. Fearless at the Battle of Heligoland Bight. and during the raid on Cuxhaven. He then commanded successively the Jupiter the Gloucester, the Berwick, and the Achilles. lie was promoted to rear-admiral and placed on the retired list in 1922.