Obituaries Australia

David Forrest, c.1885

State Library of Western Australia, b2958225

The death of Mr. David Forrest removes a well-known figure from the city. Although at no time prominent in public life he was keenly interested in public matters, his own active association with Parliament being, however, a short one. For the past three weeks the health of Mr. Forrest, who was of a retiring disposition, had given his family cause for grave concern, and he passed away, as announced in the West Australian on Saturday at his residence at Claremont on Friday evening last, in his 66th year.

The late Mr. Forrest was familiar with the early days of Western Australia. He attended the old school conducted by Bishop Hale in St. George's-terrace, and when he had gained the best of the tuition available to him at that institution, his naturally adventurous spirit led him into the pioneering ranks of the squatters. For years he experienced a strenuous time in the lonely stretches of the far North, but he eventually founded the well known Minderoo station. He settled down on the property and spent many years there improving the station. After a long sojourn in the outback, Mr. Forrest came down to Perth, retiring from the active management of the station. He entered into the affairs of the community, but, beyond a brief period during which he sat in Parliament he was never very prominent in public movements. He was a well known figure in Liberal circles, and the coffers of the Liberal organisation benefited through his efforts from time to time. One of the late gentleman's sons, Mr. Don Forrest, died from pneumonia some little time back, on his way to the front as a member of the A.I.F. There are now left to mourn Mr. David Forrest's death, his widow, two daughters, and a son. The last named, Mr. Mervyn Forrest, is now managing the Minderoo station, one daughter married Mr. George Burt, and the remaining daughter remains at the residence, Minderoo, Claremont, with her mother.

The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, and was largely attended. The cortege moved from the deceased's late residence, Minderoo, Bay View-terrace, Claremont, where a short service was conducted by the Rev. G. R. Holland, and proceeded to the Anglican Cemetery, Karrakatta, where the remains were interred. The Rev. G. R. Holland, assisted by the Rev. R. J. Craggs, conducted the funeral ceremony. The chief mourners were Mrs. M. Forrest (widow), Mr. Mervyn Forrest (son), Mrs. Geo. Burt and Miss Violet Forrest (daughters), Mr. Robert Forrest and Mr. James Forrest (brothers), Mr. Thomas Parker (brother-in-law), Messrs. Kim., John, and W. G. Forrest (nephews), Mr. A. F. Flint and Mr. B. H. E. McKeowan. The pall-bearers were Mr. Sept. Burt, Mr. W. T. Loton, Mr. Horace Sholl, Mr Herbert Lee Steere, Mr. W. B. Shaw, Mr. T. F. de Pledge, Mr. A. S. Roe, and Mr. Jas. Clarke. Among those present were the Acting Premier (Mr. H. B. Lefroy), the Colonial Secretary (Mr. H. P. Colebatch), Sir Edward Wittenoom, M.L.C., Mr. Eben Allen, M.L A., the Surveyor-Gereral (Mr. F. S. Brockman), the Mayor of Claremont (Mr. G. P. Stevens), the Deputy Post-master-Gener al (Mr. J. J. Lloyd), the Public Service Commissioner (Mr. M. E. Jull), the Registrar-General (Mr. M. A. C. Fraser), Inspector J. McKenna, the Deputy Registrar-General (Mr. W. Siebenhaar), Messrs. W. Burges, S. Moore, S. Phillips, Alf. Burt, Jas. Morrison A. G. Leeds, T. F. Quinlan, F. Craig, J. M. Ferguson, Drake-Brockman, Dr. Webster, A. Sandover, C. Saw, F. Moore, J. Pearce, F. Pearce, C. Spencer, F. Spencer, E. B. Gull, Withnell Bros., R. A. Sholl, F. Wittenoom, R. Fairbairn, J. J. Higham, T. G. A. Molloy, J. Cowan, F. Davies, A. S. Hardwick, T. Carter, Clarke James, Lieut. Leake, G. Hickling, Ernest Lee Steere. J. P. Durack, J. Corbett, A. W. Piesse, Major J. Rose, M. P. Durack, R. P. Hyem, G. Hester, Von Bibra, J. Nicholson, W. F. Guppy, B. Duffy, Dr. Wood, J. Morrison, B. Murray, C. Straker, J. T. Peet, J. Sharpe, S. Mottram, J. Watson, J. G. Caporn, H. Booth, J. H. Noble, C. Clarke, W. Lawrence. J. L. B. Wier, F.W. L. Powell, W. D. Campbell, J. Ochiltree, A. Sherwood, F. Collett, A. Clarke, W. A. Meeks, C. Hardy, McWilliams, C. Hudson, J. H. Eales, C. Baker, W. S. Finey, G. Sweeting, J. Rose, R. G. Taylor, R. Taylor, J. T. Cruickshank, W. Thompson, F. R. Barlee, J. B. Shearer, J Castilla, Phil. Ryan, E. Walker, Bryne, A. E. King, C. McMullen, W. Holmes, R. Holmes, J. Hurst, G. Rose, Emanuel, L. Dumsday, J. Guilfoyle, D. C. White, J. Farrant, A. Cooper, and J. Boddington. The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. Bowra and O'Dea.