Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Death of Rev. F. W. Rettie
After a prolonged illness, the death occurred at Goulburn on November 1st of the Rev. Frederick William Rettie. Mr. Rettie was rector of the Parish of Boorowa from 1918 to 1928 when he was held in high regard in this district. During his rectorship some additions were made to the parish church, the Soldiers' Memorial lych gate built, besides the Church of St. Aidon at Rugby. Mr. Rettie will be remembered as a first-class tennis player and he first initiated construction of courts in the Church grounds.
PIONEERING DAYS
He served as curate in charge of Beech Forest, Diocese of Ballarat, from 1907 - 1909. It was there that he ministered under pioneering conditions, travelling many miles weekly by horseback or buggy. Always he spoke in the highest terms of the pioneering folk of the forest areas.
His next appointment was a contrast in that as curate of St. Colomb's, Hawthorn, Diocese of Melbourne, he came into contact with parishioners
in closely settled areas and his fond memories of the sterling qualities of the city folk indicate that his Christian charity was universal.
GOULBURN DIOCESE
He was priested by the Archbishop of Sydney, for Goulburn, in 1911 and immediately became Curate of Wagga Wagga and subsequently at Bega.
During the years 1912-1916 he saw service as Rector of Koorawatha, and it was during this time that he established his reputation as an
understanding Christian gentleman, and also a very fine athlete, particularly on the tennis court. During the next three years he became Chaplain to the forces, serving with the 13th Battalion from 1916-1918. Almost all this service was spent in France, where he endured the rigors of the biting snow in Flanders and by remaining in the front line, suffered the hardships endured by all. Shortly after returning from active service, he took up office as rector of Boorowa, where he married. Thelma Rettie was to prove a real help meet in the arduous duties of a rectory. Here the
couple made many friends and the Rector quickly established himself as a first rate organiser and continued to participate very actively in
sport.
After serving for ten years he was called to be Rector of Tumut, where he gave untiringly of his energy. From 1928 to the beginning of 1951,
Mr. Rettie served at St. Nicholas' Goulburn.
ST. NICHOLAS'
At St. Nicholas' he served faithfully and in recent years against very considerable disability for which he earned the greater credit. The death
of his wife added greviously to his personal burden. It is to be regretted that he was not able to enjoy somewhat longer a period of healthful
retirement. He was beloved by all and no better can be said of any man. The Rev. Mr. Rettie leaves two sons, William and Geoffrey. The former served in the signallers with the A.I.F. during World War II ; two sisters, Florence and Chrisma (Mrs. Wahlers), are living in Melbourne.
TRIBUTES
Speaking in St. Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn, at the funeral service, the Bishop Co-Adjutor of the diocese, The Rt. Rev. K. J. Clements, B.A., said --
'Frederick Rettie was a man of catholic tastes. He was a lover of good literature. He had an appreciation of the arts, particularly the plastic arts. If he had chosen quieter paths seeking comfort and wealth he would have distinguished himself in those fields. But Frederick Rettie turned instead to the vocation of service to his God and fellow man. It was this that made the text, ' Blessed are they that mourn,' so opposite in his case.'
At a Memorial Service in St. Nicholas' Church, Goulburn, the deceased successor, Rev. J. Baskin said — 'For forty years Frederick Rettie ministered as a priest of the church. Practically all his service was given to this diocese, and through the years he became known to us all as a man of innate goodness and gentleness. Such were his qualities that to know him was to love him, and there is sorrow in many hearts in the realisation that this gentle servant of Christ has gone from us, but there is also the steady confidence that be has entered upon a life of fuller service in the presence of the Lord he loved.'
Internment took place on Sunday, November 13, in the Church of England portion of the Goulburn cemetery.

Boorowa News Friday 16 November 1951 page 3