Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Nathaniel THORNLEY and Mary Josephine THORNLEY nee MURPHY

Husband of Mrs Christine Agatha THORNLEY nee LOUGHRON, Kangatong, Hawkesdale, Victoria

DEATH OF MR E. A. THORNLEY
Leading Public Figure
OUTSTANDING WAR WORKER
 
Mr Edmund A. Thornley, a well known Western District grazier and one of the finest citizens Camperdown has known, died yesterday in a hospital in Melbourne where he had been  under a specialist for three weeks. News of his death was received with sorrow by all. So much a part of this town was he, that it is difficult to imagine it without his familiar  figure, while many worthy organisations, not only here, but in other parts of the district, will miss his regular attendance at meetings and sound judgment on public matters.  Although he had widespread interests, he never failed to give to each his whole hearted co-operation.

WONDERFUL WAR WORKER
Since the outbreak of war, his patriotic activities had been numerous. Nothing, which was of benefit to men on active service was too much trouble to him, and he went out of his  way to do anything in their interests.   An instance of his anxiety to assist every war effort, was his energetic work in connection with the waste products depot in Camperdown.  Unspectacular and unpleasant, this occupied many hours of his time, for he not only organised working bees, but also helped sort the waste and collect it in his truck. And,  Saturday after Saturday this winter, that truck with Mr Thornley at the wheel, was also seen delivering firewood to servicemen's dependents for Camperdown R.S.L. branch. His  spare hours he devoted to the making of camouflage nets.

HELD IMPORTANT POSITIONS
Camperdown branch of the R.S.L. War Service Comforts Fund, of which he was president, was one of his pet organisations and it benefitted greatly as a result of the intense interest displayed in it by both him self and Mrs Thornley. He was also president of Camperdown Patriotic Fund and first president of Camperdown branch of the Dads' Association, a position he only relinquished a short time ago, owing to ill health. He was a past president of Camperdown R.S.L. branch and a present member of the executive, a member of  the Voluntary Police Auxiliary formed during this war, and, as well a member of the R.A.A.F. Recruiting Committee, Soldiers' Farewell Committee and the first War Loan  ommittee in thistown. Mr Thornley was one of the first members of the V.D.C. platoon in Camperdown.

HOSPITAL VICE-PRESIDENT
Camperdown District Hospital also had in Mr Thornley an enthusiastic supporter, who assisted it in whatever way possible. He was a vice-president of the committee.

RACING ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
Mr Thornley was keenly interested in racing before the war as indicated by his association with leading clubs, but he strongly objected to the holding of races during the war. He  was president of the South-Westem District Racing Association, past president of Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club, a committee member of Warrnambool Turf Club and a member  of the Victorian Racing Club and Australian Club.

GRADUATED AS SOLICITOR
Born in Camperdown 70 years ago, Mr Thornley was the son the late Honorable Nathan Thornley and Mrs Thornley. His father was one of the original surveyors of the Western District, and later acquired several properties throughout the district.  Mr E. A. Thornley graduated as solicitor at Melbourne University, but never practised, his interests being  centred in the land. For some years, he lived at "Kangatong," a family property at Hawkesdale, before buying "Gnotuk," Camperdown, about 20 years ago.

RETURNED SOLDIER
He served with the 1st A.I.F. for two and a half years, leaving Australia with the 3rd Division in 1916.

Deep sympathy will be extended to Mrs Thornley and family in the loss of a father of high ideals and noble qualities. Two sons are in the A.I.F. — Signaller Peter Thornley and Bmdr. Pat Thornley. Daughters are Vera (Mrs Paddy Gaussen. "Vasey Farm," Vasey) and Judy (Mrs Roger Henderson, England). Mrs W. Boyd, "Wurrong", Camperdown, Mrs Herbert  Lillies and Mrs Alex Nicholson, Melbourne, are sisters, and a brother, Mr G. Thornleyy lives in Melbourne. The funeral to Springvale Crematorium, to-day, was a private one.