The Catholic Press, Thursday 24 August 1922
OBITUARY.
Mr. Ed. J. Elliott.
The death took place on the 10th inst.,
at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. D.
Hipwell, at Wickham, of Mr. Edward John
Elliott, at the advanced age of 91 years
and five months. The deceased gentleman
was born at Dallington, Sussex (England),
and came to Australia in 1852, and was
mining on Ballarat, Bendigo, and other
early fields. Afterwarda he went to Par
ramatta, where he married, in 1857, Sarah,
the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lynch, of
London. After leaving Parramatta he
went to the Macleay River, being one of
the pioneers who took up land under the
Free Selection Act in that district, and for
a time was maize and cane growing; but
floods and raids by the aborigines drove
him from the Coast, and he left for New
England. Roads were out of the question
in those days, and the way was cut with
a brushhook. Wheeled traffic was hardly
thought of, and the horses were harnessed
to a sled made from a couple of split
slabs, joined together with cross-pieces,
and on this the younger children and the
camping outfit were carried. What the jour
ney meant in the way of hardships can
only be imagined; but it revealed the stuff
the old pioneers were made of, and the
difficulties they would face and overcome.
On arrival in Armidale he arranged with
the late Mr. John Moore to take charge
of the latter 's orchard on Sydney Flat,
about the year 1872, afterwards moving
to Uralla, where he resided un
til about three months ago, when
failing health induced him to go to
the seaside at Newcastle for the winter;
but death claimed him, after an ill
ness of about six weeks. He possessed a
remarkable memory, and could converse on
events that occurred 70 or 80 years ago, and
retained his mental faculties up to his death.
His wife predeceased him by about 30
years. Of the union there were four sons
and six daughters, five of whom survive.
The sons are Messrs. Thomas and Walter,
of Uralla; and the daughters, Mrs. P.
O'Connor (Mabbinbri, via Warialda), Mrs.
D. Hipwell (Wickham), and Mrs. A. Elliott (Sydney).
Mr. Joseph Elliott, the founder, and
for many years proprietor, of
the 'Uralla News,' who died about four
years ago, was also a son. There are over
40 grandchildreu and 30 greatgrandchil
dren living. Of the former 13 volunteered
for war Service, one Private Richard
Ryan, was killed in France, and another,
Private D. P. Burraston, died in camp.
During his last illness he was attended
by the 'Rev. Fathers Quigley and Mar
shall, of Hamilton, and received the Last
Sacraments. Father Marshall referred
touchingly to his death as Mass on Sunday,
12th inst. The Sisters of Mercy, Hamil
ton, were also constant visitors to his bed
side. At Uralla, on the same date, Rev.
Father McGrath asked the prayers of the
congregation for the repose of his soul,
and announced that Mass was being offer
ed for him that morning. He was receiv
ed into the Church on his marriage, and
was an exemplary Catholic, one daughter
being the late Sister M. Patricia, of the
Order of St. Joseph. The members of the
famiily have always been prominent work
ers for the Church, and were mainly re
sponsible for the inauguration of the choir
35 years ago, which is at present conducted
by Mr. Walter L. Elliott, who has been
associated with it for over 30 years.
The interment took place at Sandgate
Cemetery on the 11th inst., Rev. Father
Quigley conducting the last sad rites at
the graveside.
At the last meeting of the (Municipal Coun
cil Alderman Low said: It was only yester
day that I heard of the deatli of the fa
ther of our worthy Mayor, and I am sure
I am expressing the sentiments of every
alderman when I say that our sincerest
sympathy goes out to the Mayor and
other relatives in their bereavement. Other
aldermen spoke, and the motion was car
ried in silence. — R.I.P

thankyou so much for this wonderful insight that has allowed me to appreciate the greatness of my ancestor. I am proud to know that his blood is carried in my body
regards New England

Indeed, I also found it remarkable that of the 13 grandchildren who volunteered for service in WW1 all were accepted and 11 survived.
The two deaths;
Richard RYAN Service Number - 2216 : Place of Birth - Blayney NSW : Place of Enlistment - Dubbo NSW : Next of Kin - (Mother) RYAN Mary

D. P. 'Dave' Burraston died of pneumonia in Sydney, July 1915, after contracting Pneumonia at the Liverpool Camp after enlistment

Hi there.
I received the poppy I bought from the Poppy Park. Thousands of poppies were made, each one bearing the name of a soldier who fought for his country.
I received a poppy bearing Richard Ryan. First World War. 1914-1917. Date died 8th March 1917. Service Number 2216.
In honour of his service, I've endeavored to find out more about him. It's nice to see he isn't a forgotten soldier.
Just thought you might like to know :)
Lisa

www.rememberasoldier.org.au