Obituaries Australia

A wide circle of friends deplore the untimely loss of Mr. R. B. [Richard Bede] Fernon, late of the Orange Land Board office. His condition of health had been for some time a cause of anxiety to his relatives and acquaintances and on the 22nd of last month, after a protracted illness, during which he exhibited a fine spirit of fortitude, he passed away at Dudley Private Hospital, Orange, spiritually fortified by the zealous ministrations of Rev. Father Dowd, and the tender care of the Sisters of Mercy. His relatives had been with him for some time on account of the gravity of his illness. The late Mr. Fernon was an ex-student of the Christian Brothers' School, Lewisham. He entered the Department of Lands about four years ago, and later took up the University Law course. His studies were interrupted occasionally by periods of ill health, and when he anticipated completing the second year of the course a severe relapse forced him to abandon the University, and to apply for a transfer to a more suitable climate. During his term he became an enthusiastic member of the Sydney University Dramatic Society, in whose productions he made several successful appearances. His genial disposition and generous fund of happy wit placed him high in the esteem of his friends and fellow-officers. The funeral left St. Joseph's Church, Newtown, on the 23rd ult., and was attended by a large number of relatives and friends. The officers of the Lands Department, who had been connected with the deceased, marched in procession with the cortege to Newtown Railway Station. Very Rev. Dr. Cregan, of Newtown, conducted the last solemn rites at the graveside, where the remains of the late Mr. Fernon were laid to rest beside his parents and other members of the family, who had predeceased him. — R.I.P.