Anstruther John CORFE

CORFE, Anstruther John

Service Number: Officer
Enlisted: 14 November 1916
Last Rank: Captain
Last Unit: Medical Officers
Born: New Zealand, 3 January 1876
Home Town: Glen Innes, Glen Innes Severn, New South Wales
Schooling: Toowoomba Grammar School, Sydney University
Occupation: Medical Practitioner
Died: Glen Innes, NSW, 10 April 1942, aged 66 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Inverell Cemetery, NSW
Memorials: Glen Innes & District Soldiers Memorial, Toowoomba Grammar School WW1 Honour Board
Show Relationships

World War 1 Service

14 Nov 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Captain, Officer, Medical Officers
17 Nov 1916: Involvement Captain, Medical Officers, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '23' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Kyarra embarkation_ship_number: A55 public_note: ''
17 Nov 1916: Embarked Captain, Medical Officers, HMAT Kyarra, Brisbane

Help us honour Anstruther John Corfe's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

OBITUARY
DR. A. J. CORFE
Glen Innes was profoundly shocked on Saturday evening when it was learned that Dr. A, J. Corfe, one of the most highly esteemed members of the medical profession in northern New South Wales, had passed away. Returning home from the post of fice, which he had visited to collect his mail, Dr. Corfe complained of not feeling well, and when it was apparent that it was no passing ill ness a fellow doctor was summoned, but death had occurred before he could arrive.
A man who evinced great strength of character and a doctor who lived, up to the highest traditions of his profession, Dr. A. J. Corfe established an honored place in the life of
the community. He had a great capacity for friendship, and those who were privileged to call him friend found In him an abiding loyalty. He was a man of considerable individuality, and, ever true to his convictions, his influence was felt in every sphere in which he moved. Endowed with a personality which inspired the confidence of his patients, Dr. Corfe was held in affectionate regard by people in all walks of life to whom he had ministered in time of illness. He counted no sacrifice too great on behalf, of a patient in time of crisis and generally personified 'the family doctor,' who traditionally exerts an influence of inestimable good on the lives of so many in the community in which he practises his profession.
The late Dr. Corfe was a staunch friend to the returned soldiers, by whom his name will long be revered. In an earlier day he found his recreation in golf and trout fishing, in both of which sports he was held in high esteem for his manly qualities and fine sportsmanship. He was president of the Glen Innes Rod Fishermen's Association for a number of  years, and played no small part in establishing Glen Innes as a trout fishing centre.
The late Dr. Corfe, who was bom in New Zealand 64 years ago, came to Australia at an early age and lived for a time in Toowoomba, where his father was headmaster of the Toowoomba Grammar School. It was there that he received his early education, later taking up medical studies at Sydney University. After qualifying he was resident doctor at Sydney Hcspital for a period before going to Hong Kong to pursue a special course of study. On return to Australia he practised his profession at Peak Hill before coming to Glen  Innes, where he remained in practice for 32 years, with the exception of the 1914-18 war period when he served abroad with the Australian Army Medical Corps.
Surviving the deceased gentleman are his widow, a daughter of the late Mr. E. C. Body, of 'Warana,' Inverell, and Mrs. Body, and one son, Leading: Aircraftsman Dudley Corfe,
at present training with the R.A.A.F. in Canada.
The attendance at the funeral, which took place to the Church of England portion of the Inverell cemetery, was fully representative of the professional, commercial, grazing and  other interests of both Glen Innes and Inverell districts. Two of the pall-bearers were ,Mr. ,C. A. Sinclair, of Waterloo, and Mr. Harold Simpson, of 'Blairmore.' Stonehenge.
R. T. Lightfoot and Co had charge of the funeral arrangements. In the course of a service at the Inverell Church of England, the Rev. H. E. Stammer, in an address, said that  during his many years' residence in northern New South wales the late Dr. Corfe had won the esteem of a host of friends and patients by his tact and quiet devotion to his  profession. Quoting the motto of the Winchester school. 'Manners maketh the man,' Rev. Stammer said certainly manners had made Dr. Corfe what he was— a devoted  husband, proud father and firm friend. They who had been privileged to know him felt very deeply his sudden passing. They did not know he had had anything sufficiently wrong to take him so suddenly and so quietly. 'I wonder,' Rev. Stammer added, did he know it? A doctor, he said, holds the lives of a great number of people in his hands ; he must often forget that he holds his own life also. It is to the honor of the profession that a doctor thinks rather of the work than of himself. He disregards his physical limitations and sacrifices his very strength till something happens. 'I believe,' Rev. Stammer added, 'it was so with Dr. Corfe.'
To the sorrowing wife and gallant son, Rev. Stamrvei said, all their affectionate sympathy went out that day.
VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS'
TRIBUTE
A sincere tribute to the memory of the late Dr. corfe was paid by members of the local unit of the V.D.C. at parade on Sunday morning. Addressing the members, Lieut. W W. Biddle, M.C., referred to the practical interest which Dr. Corfe had taken in the V.D.C. right from its inception.
As the honorary R.M.O. and in other capacities he had rendered valuable service. As recently as the morning of the day of his death, Lieut. Biddle stated, Dr. Corfe had discussed with him matters of interest to the V.D.C., on behalf of whose members he had been ever ready to make available his services. The company then stood at attention  as a mark of respect for the deceased.

Read more...