Obituaries Australia

R. B. Andrews, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 19 January 1955

The recent death of Mr. R. B. Andrews, of Mt. Florance, Western Australia, as briefly noted in last month's Pastoral Review, has brought to a close a career devoted entirely to pastoral interests. Born at Melrose, South Australia, in 1881, the late Mr. Andrews was a son of the late A. P. Andrews, a well-known member of the legal profession in that State. He was educated at Port Augusta, and gained his initial pastoral experience as a youth when he entered the employ of Messrs. Hawker Brothers at Carriewerloo Station. In the late '90's he resigned and went to Queensland where he became engaged in droving and overlanding stock on behalf of Messrs. Kidman and Collins. After two years his former employers invited him to return to Carriewerloo as overseer. In 1903, however, he went to Western Australia to join relatives who had settled there. 

In Western Australia he was employed on Pippingarra and Strelly Stations prior to taking over the management of Mt. Florance. Subsequently he became a partner with the owner, Mr. J. H. Church, and for many years the firm of Church and Andrews figured prominently in pastoral circles in Western Australia. Finally Mr. Andrews acquired full ownership of the station, the title to which he retained until his death. At all times he set a steadfast example to his contemporaries. His character may best be gauged from the comment made by a fellow pastoralist: "R.B. was a staunch friend and a good neighbour." No pastoralist could wish for a better epitaph.