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John Jesse (Jack) Hasthorpe (1876–1961)

The last of this district’s Boer War veterans crossed the bar on Wednesday last, while an inmate of Prince Henry’s Hospital, Melbourne. He was Mr. John Jesse Hasthorpe, of School Road, Trafalgar.

Only a few months ago the deceased had suffered a fall whilst on a visit to a sister at Casino in N.S.W., and as a result had been hospitalized ever since. An injury sustained to a leg failed to make the anticipated progress and he had been transferred from the West Gippsland Hospital at Warragul to the city only a few weeks ago in the hope that specialists could repair the damage. However, the long period of inactivity took its toll on the vitality and spirit of this grand old-timer and his condition gradually worsened and his death, as stated above, came as no great shock.

Born at Tanjil in 1876, the late Mr. Hasthorpe had come to Trafalgar in 1918, and engaged in dairy farming. Prior to that he had lived at Moe, having gone there with his parents – the first time for three years in 1882 and again in 1888 after having returned to Tanjil for a short time.

At the turn of the century he joined the expeditionary forces when Australia sent a contingent of men to fight in the South African War.

As a young man he had above average prowess in the fields of sport and was well known as a cricketer and later starred at golf and bowls. In fact, he continued to play golf and bowls right up to the time of his unfortunate accident in N.S.W. this year.

“Old Jack,” as he was affectionately known, was a universal favorite with everyone in our midst. One of his first jobs was as a compositor with the Moe Advocate, but he wisely (as some at least would agree) did not continue in that employment for many years.

There are many who will miss the deceased gentleman personally for he was a real man – if he had anything to say he said it and meant it – but when he had done that the incident was forgotten. He liked a joke and a yarn, for he had a happy and breezy style all of his own which made him so likeable and so appreciated. The funeral took place on Friday afternoon at the Trafalgar Cemetery and was one of the most representative seen for some time. Mourners were present from all walks of life, with golfers, bowlers and returned soldiers being especially predominant.

A service was held in St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Trafalgar, prior to the cortege leaving for the cemetery. Due to the absence of the resident minister, the service at the graveside was conducted by Rev. L. Churchill. Mr. G. Evans, president of the Trafalgar sub-branch, conducted the R.S.L. service at the graveside, and the funeral arrangements were carried out by Nelson’s Funeral Services, of Trafalgar. The deceased leaves a family of two sons and a daughter – Geoffrey (Melbourne), Gwen (Mrs. Cameron, Trafalgar) and Douglas (Trafalgar) to mourn his passing, and to them goes out the heartfelt sympathy of the community. Mrs. Hasthorpe passed away in 1955, and a son, Harvey, pre-deceased his parents many years ago.

Original publication

Additional Resources and Scholarship

Citation details

'Hasthorpe, John Jesse (Jack) (1876–1961)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/hasthorpe-john-jesse-jack-13380/text24019, accessed 12 February 2025.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2025

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1876
Tanjil, Victoria, Australia

Death

11 October, 1961 (aged ~ 85)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation or Descriptor
Military Service
Workplaces