OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26776, 20 May 1948, Page 9

OBITUARY

COLONEL A. B. CHARTERS

Colonel A. B. Charters, who-, died at Hastings recently, was born in Christchurch in 1876. After attending the public school and Christ’s College he entered the teaching profession. He gained his M.A. degree with first class honours in English and taught in various schools in the North Island. He was appointed to the head mastership of Lyall Bay and Whangarei High Schools, and was later an inspector of schools. Colonel Charters played Rugby at college and represented his province. After retiring from the game he was prominent as a Rugby administrator in the Wairarapa and refereed many important matches. Keenly interested in military matters he joined the Volunteers as a youth and gave unbroken service until his retirement. After serving in South Africa he went overseas again with the First Reinforcements in 1914 and commanded the First Otago Battalion throughout the campaign in France and Belgium. He was awarded the C.M.G. and D. 5.0., and was mentioned in despatches on four occasions. Shortly after his return he was appointed aide-de-camp to the then Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson. Colonel Charters was buried in Hasting with military honours. He leaves a widow and two of a family.