Obituaries Australia

It is with great regret that we record the decease of Mr. W. D. [William Denning] Crocker, J P., Late of "Honeysuckle," Violet Town. Until the last few months Mr. Crocker had been identified with Violet Towin for the past 30 years, and was a well-known figure in all public movements. In January last he, with his family, removed to St. Kilda. He was then in the best of health, and looking froward to many years' enjoyment of well-earned rest. A few weeks ago, however, he contracted a severe cold, which, settling upon the lungs, developed into an attack of pneumonia, with other complicating symptoms. He was assiduously attended by members of his family and two doctors, but the end came with great rapidity, although his condition for the fortnight preceding death, caused the family grave uneasiness. The doctor, operated on him in connection with the bursting of an hydatid cyst, brought on by a fit of coughing, on the previous Sunday, but he gradually sank till Friday last, when death supervened. The remains were brought to Violet Town and interred in the local cemetery on Saturday afternoon, being followed to the grave by a large concourse of townspeople anxious to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of a sturdy pioneer and valued citizen. The late W. D. Crocker was born at Kingston, Somersetshire, in the south-west of England, in 1835. In '66 he came to Violet Town, and carried on business in a large way, including drapery, grocery, butchery, bakery, and general provider of all things necessary to the travelling teamsters who in those good old times formed the staple livelihood of business people along the Sydney road. Being of an energetic disposition, Mr. Crocker did not confine himself to the business, but in addition rented an extensive grazing area from Government. With the advent of the railway the Sydney road teams disappeared and a new township gradually sprang up round the railway station. Mr. Crocker then retired, and purchased the Honeysuckle Estate of 3000 acres, where he had since resided. He leaves a widow and family of seven children, three sons and four daughters. His name is indissolubly connected with Violet Town, and he was always to the fore in assisting any movement for its advancement, and his memory will not die out even with the passing away of the generation of townsmen with whom deceased was most intimately associated.