OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19498, 26 January 1926, Page 11

OBITUARY

THOMAS JAMES TORREY. The death occurred at Castlccliff on January 5 of Thomas James Torrey, who was one of the small band of Maori War veterans. Born at Hunderbly, Lincolnshire, England, Air Torrey was brought to New Zealand in .1858, being about ten yoai’s old. His parents settled at Christchurch. At the age of 21 years he joined the Armed Constabulary, and saw active service in the Patea and Hawera districts during the fighting of 1868-70. He took part in the fighting at To Ngutu o te Manu, and had many stirring experiences. On one occasion he was driving a team in a convoy which was attacked at the mouth of the Whenuakura River. Several horses wore shot, and Mr Torrey had a very narrow escape. Ou the cessation of hostilities he married Miss Smith, of Patea, on December 3.1, 1871. He remained in the Armed Constabulary until 1874, doing duty at the Patea and Waihi Redoubts, and then left the Patea district. For sonic years he was engaged on railway contracts in the Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay, and then took up farming in the Taihapc district, where he remained until about six years ago. Since then he had lived lat Cornfoot. Street, Castlccliff. Air Torrey is survived by his wife I and a family of four sons and five j daughters, while there are about forty grandchildren. The sons are Messrs J. T. Torrey (Shannon), Joseph (Castlcicliff), R. C. (Petone), and Edward : (Ohatu). Tho daughters are Airs AV. A. Gray (Taneatua), Airs C Ford (Aramoho), Mrs G. P. Whitton (Napier), Mrs T. D. 11. Menzies (Afangaonolu and Airs J. Peters (Castlecliff). At the funeral the service was conducted by the Rev. E. T. Cox and Bandsmen Williams and Henderson, of the Garrison Band, sounded the “Last Post.’’ The Wanganui branch of the ;Veterans’ Association was represented by Mr Hickman, who was with Air Torrey in the Armed Constabulary.