Obituaries Australia

Mr. Harold Charles Killen, of Riverside Park, Burradoo, N.S.W., and owner of Merribee Merino stud, Barellan, N.S.W., died suddenly in London on 11th March at the age of 61. With Mrs. Killen, he had been visiting their daughter Judith, who early last year married Major John Swinton, who was then A.D.C. to Sir William Slim, Governor-General of Australia.

A member of one of the best known pastoral families in Australia, Harold Killen was the eldest son of the late Mr. W. W. Killen, who owned several properties in New South Wales, particularly in the Bourke and Barellan districts, and who was at one time member for Riverina in the Federal Government. The Killen family still controls extensive grazing properties which are conducted as pastoral companies, and Mr. H. C. Killen was chairman of directors of the principal holding company, Pastoral Development (Holdings) Ltd. He was also a member of the board of directors of Farmers' and Graziers' Co-op. Grain, Insurance, and Agency Co. Ltd., having succeeded his father who was a foundation director of the company.

With his brother, E. C. L. (Ted) Killen, of Warrawidgee, Carrathool, and Wokolena, Wagga, N.S.W., the late Harold Killen served in the Royal Flying Corps in World War I. Another brother, Mr. W. B. S. Killen, controls Mollee, Narrabri, N.S.W., while his sister, Mrs. S. Leitch, also has grazing interests at Narrabri and in Riverina.

Although of a retiring nature, the late Mr. Harold Killen was most popular in grazing circles and was always willing to give deserving cases the benefit of his experience. Instinctively courteous, he had a sound knowledge not only of the primary industries of Australia, but of world affairs generally.

In addition to his two brothers and sister, Mr. Killen is survived by his widow and only daughter.