OBITUARY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 30 December 1927, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MR WILLIAM HENRY COLE. The death occurred yesterday, at 2.15 p.m., at. the residence of his son, 19 Wrigley Street, Alasterton, of Air William Henry Cole, at the age of 81 years. The late Air Cole was born at Whitby, Yorkshire, England, in 184(5, and served liis time*'there to the painting trade. At one time he was in charge of the painters working in Sir Haelton Dixon’s shipbuilding yards at .7arrow, on the Tyne. On account of trade depression lie took up a position as a signalman on the North Eastern Railway, being stationed on the Stockton and Darlington sections for eight years. JTe resigned from the railway service to come to New Zealand, arriving at Port Chalmers on the s.s. Arawa on Christmas Day over forty years ago. Air Cole at once proceeded to Alasterton, where he has since resided, again following his trade. Two sons came with him, John Robert, later well known as a Alaori interpreter (who died in 1917), ami Fred, who was not quite two years old. The late Air Cole, when in the Old Country, was a member of a North of England Artillery Brigade, and went with his company to Shrewsbury to compete in the annual shooting meeting of English brigades. At one time Air Cole was a member of the old Alasterton Volunteer Fire Brigade, holding the rank of lieutenant. He was also a director of the Alutual Benefit No. 1 Building Society and the first co-operative grocery store established in Alasterton, and a member of the two local bowling clubs and of the defunct Yorkshire Society. He was one of a number of volunteers who undertook to light up and look after the reading room in Alasterton when it was first opened on Sunday nights. Air Cole was a Forester, being a member of Court Loyal Enterprise. He was a non-smoker and teetotaler. The deceased had a family of twelve. His wife and two sons only survive, the sons being Messrs Fred Cole and Charles Nicholson Cole, both of Alasterton. There are eight grandchildren. Alessrs Jack Cole, Homebush, and Henry Cole, Cole street, are cousins of the deceased. The funeral will leave 19 Wrigley street to-day, at 4 p.m., for the Alasterton cemetery.