OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 101, 23 January 1943, Page 7

OBITUARY

Mr. Robert Wilson The sudden death this week of Mr. Robert: Wilson, carpenter, in a well-known New Zealand ship was the cause of great regret to the whole ship’s, company as well as to a wide circle of friends, including many former shipmates. The funeral, which took place on Thursday, was largely attended by the ship’s people and others. Robert Wilson, who was a man of sterling qualities and a master of. his craft, had spent many years at sea. He was for a long time in the service of Mcllwraith. McEachern Ltd., the wellknown Australian shipowners. He served during the jvar of 1914-18 in the hospital ship Karoola and subsequently in the Kntooinba in the Australian inter-State service. Mr. Wilson joined the service of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Ltd. on December 4, 1925, as ship's carpenter in the Manuka. At the beginning of July, 1926, he transferred to the Maheno nnd four months later to the ship in which he. served for more than 16 years nnd in which he died. It is believed that his aged mother is still living in the United Kingdom. He'leaves two sons, one of whom is serving with the Australian forces. A well-known shipmaster writes as follows: —“Bob Wilson was to me not merely the ship’s carpenter but a valued friend, and I look on his passing as a personal loss. Always cheerful, he performed his duties ably and conscientiously. During the .time we were shipmates in .two ships I considered myself fortunate in having a man of his capabilities and integrity. This opinion of Bob. as he was known to us all, will. I am sure, be shared by every man who sailed with him.”