Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

MAJOR A. E. E. D'ARCY
A veteran of two wars, and a volunteer for a third, Major Arthur Erroll Ernest D'Arcy died suddenly at his home in Batman Street, Braddon, yesterday, aged 65. Prior to his death, Mr. D'Arcy had been cutting wood in his yard when he suddenly felt ill and  retired to his room to rest but suddenly passed away.
Born in 1880 and for many years a resident of Gunnedah, Major D'Arcy was educated at Fort Street Boys High School. At the age of 17 he joined the First Lancers and served in the Boer War, during which period he was wounded twice. Returning to Australia,  he was a prominent figure in the Gunnedah district where he worked his father's property until the First World War. He served  abroad again in 1915 with the 12th Light Horse in the desert campaign and in Egypts until wounded and invalided to Australia a  year later.
Before the conclusion of the war he was back again, serving in the Imperial Camel Corps and transport units.
Following his service he became a stock and station agent at Grenfell for the years prior to becoming a member of the Federal  Capital Commission in December, 1928. In his capacity as social welfare officer of the Commission he became one of the best  known officers in the early days of the A.C.T. Later, he joined other departments, including Census, Statist and the Customs branch before graduating to the registry section of the Department of the Interior. Major D'Arcy maintained a link with his past  service by a very active membership of the A.C.T. branch of the R.S.L., of which he became president in 1941-42 after a number 
of years as vice-president. During his term he was A.C.T. delegate to Federal congresses held in Brisbane in 1941 and Sydney in 1942.
He was also an active member of the Welfare Association and a mem ber of the Recruiting Committee of Canberra. He was one  of the original instigators of the Services Hut and a foundation member of the Returned Soldiers' Club. In his, younger days,  ajor D'Arcy was a renowned sportsman with the rifle, as a footballer and as a tennis player. Although his interest in administration waned in the latter years the interest in the welfare of distressed ex-servicemen remained to the very end.
Major D'Arcy was a prominent member of the City Bowling Club and until recent years was an active player in pennant  competitions. For his services to the club he was elected a life member.
He is survived by his wife and five children, Shirley (Mrs. Piat), Lynn, Hope (Mrs. J. C. Dovey), Joan (Mrs. F. Sayer) and Terrance.