OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 145, 10 April 1940, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR A. C. LITCHFIELD WHITE ISLAND DISASTER RECALLED The late Mr A. C. Litchfield, whose death occurred at Opotiki last week at the age of 54, was bora in Opotiki and spent most of his life in this district. He was educated at the Opotiki Public School. Deceased joined the 25th New Zealand Reinforcements in the Great War of 1914-18. f .Decease& also offered his services difring the present war and was for a time working at iPapakura ' camp in the cooking department. He returned to Opotiki some weeks before he was admitted to hospital. Prior to enlisting in the Great War, he was for several years employed on the staff of the late Mr H. Torrens. After his return from the war, he was empl'oyed by Messrs Abbot Bros for some time, but of recent years and up to fclie time of his death, he was keenly interested in gardening, which he made a hobby. The grounds of his home were always beautifully kept. An interesting part of his life was when he worked on White Island. He was working there almost up to the time of the disaster 25 years ago, when the whole staff on the island were overwhelmed and no trace ever seen of them again. The sulphuric fumes had been having a bad effect on . Mr Litchfield's eyesight and he went to Opotiki from the island for medical treatment. It was during the time he was at Opotiki that the disaster occurred. He returned to the island many years later when works were again established and remained there until the works were closed "down permanently. Although of a quiet and retiring disposition, deceased was well known throughout the district, and general regret has been expressed at his death at a comparatively early age. He was accorded a mill-' tary funeral.