Obituaries Australia

Thomas Field, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 16 May 1951

Mr. Thomas E. Field, who died in Adelaide on 10th April at the age of 77, was general manager of Elder, Smith and Co. Ltd. in Adelaide for 15 years. He retired in 1945 after 54 years service with the firm.

The late Mr. Field, who was a bachelor, joined the staff of Elder, Smith and Co. Ltd. in 1891, and after serving as manager of the Kingston (S.A.) branch he was transferred to Western Australia, where he rose to be manager. During his term in Western Australia the late Mr. Field was chairman of the Wheat Marketing Committee and the W.A. State Wool Committee at the time of the first world war. He was also chairman of the Federated Employers' Association for 15 years.

In 1929 Mr. Field succeeded the late Sir Walter Young as general manager of Elder, Smith and Co. and returned to Adelaide. From that time until his retirement he was the mainspring and guiding hand in the company's vast organisation. He was chairman of the South Australian State Wool Committee during the British Purchase Agreement and for 10 years held a similar position on the Adelaide Committee of the then C.S.I.R.

Mr. Field's rise from a clerk to the highest position in a great company was due to his energy, determination, and complete integrity. His kindliness and helpfulness earned him the respect and affection of all with whom he had to deal.