OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25305, 16 August 1943, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR C. J. WILLIAMS The death has occurred of Mr Cecil John Williams, a retired railway officer, who was for several years stationmaster at Timaru. Since his retirement three years ago, he had continued to live in Timaru. Joining the department at Invercargill, Mr Williams gained rapid promotion and served iat various stations as a senior officer befbre taking charge at Ashburton. From there he was transferred to Timaru He was a past president of the Timaru Bowling Club and a member of the vestry of St. Mary’s Church. During 40 years of service he worked keenly for the betterment of the service, and he was recognised as a most efficient officer. Mr Williams is survived by his wife, three daughters, and six sons. Two of his sons are the Rev. R. O. Williams, vicar of Hari Hari, and Major Claude Williams, an ex-All Black, who is now serving in the Indian Army. Three of his other sons are also serving in the army.

MR A. ARMSTRONG

The death occurred last week of Mr Alfred Armstrong, at the age of 71 years. Mr Armstrong was born in Dunedin in 1872, and was the son of Mr Charles Armstrong, one of Otago’s early settlers. When he was 13 years of age Mr Armstrong went to Australia at the time of the West Australia gold rush, and remained there until 1900. While in West Australia he married Miss Mary Scott, of Melbourne, she and her sister at that time being the only white women in that part of the continent. After his return to Dunedin Mr Armstrong was for some time engaged in the grocery trade, and for several years carried on business on his awn account in Otago and Southland. When the’ Strand Tea Rooms were opened in 1917 he became manager of the company, and remained in that position until 1933. He retained an interest in the company until his death. About three years ago Mr Armstrong purchased Larnach Castle, remaining the owner of this historic building for exactly one year. His first wife predeceased him 14 years ago, and he married again, and is survived by his second wife and also by a family of three sons—Messrs Nevill, Clive, and Alfred Armstrong, of Dunedin ' —and three daughters—Mesdames R. M. Shepherd (Dunedin), D. Wraight (Timaru), and J. Conway (Slope Point, Southland).