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Douglas Macarthur (1901–1935)

The death in the Atherton District Hospital on Saturday night of Mr. Douglas Macarthur, engineer to the Shire of Eacham, has caused profound regret and consternation throughout the whole of the Tableland. Mr. Macarthur entered the hospital as a patient a week ago. He underwent an operation, from the el? of which he appeared to be progressing favorably, until about 9 o'clock last evening when he suddenly collapsed and expired within a very short time.

Mr. MacArthur was the second son of Mr. Edward Hannibal MacArthur, of Brisbane, and descendant of the pioneering family of that name, and was for many years associated with the railway construction and later was engaged by the Main Roads Commission. Mr. MacArthur, senr., was ex-chief surveyor for the Queensland Railway Department. His son, Douglas, whose untimely death at the age of 34 years the whole district mourns, filled the position of engineer to the Shire of Eacham for the past seven years. He was a brilliant young man of the highest possible character, and his modest bearing and unfailing cheerfulness made him generally beloved throughout the district.

Mr. MacArthur began his engineering career as a cadet in the Queensland Railways and was later assistant engineer to Mr. A. Parkinson on the Kyogle railway construction. He was also engaged by the Commonwealth Government on the construction of the Oodnadatta to Alice Springs railway.

The public unites in extending sincerest sympathy to his sorrowing young widow who, with two small daughters, are left to mourn their irreparable loss. His wife is a member of the Cribb family, of Brisbane, and possesses a large circle of friends in the district. It is understood that a sister and a brother are expected to arrive shortly from Brisbane.

The funeral took place at 3.30 o'clock to-day, moving from St Mary's Church (Church of England), Atherton. The services in the church and at the graveside were conducted by Rev. Bro. Britton, of the Bush Brotherhood. The pall-bearers were Messrs. R. E. McHugh (chairman of the Eacham Shire), W. Whiting (chairman of the Tinaroo Shire), W. Baker, G. D. Hollingsworth, W. Young (Northern engineer for the Main Roads) and Crs. West and D. Johnston.

Original publication

Citation details

'Macarthur, Douglas (1901–1935)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/macarthur-douglas-14419/text25500, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1901

Death

26 January, 1935 (aged ~ 34)
Atherton, Queensland, Australia

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation
Workplaces