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Australia

"DEATH OF MR. ROBERT SUMMERS

By the death of Mr. Robert ('Bob') Summers, in his 59th year, there has passed away a soldier and a man, one who was known and respected by a host of friends all over the Richmond, and one who had done credit both here and abroad to the land he loved so well — the land of his birth. For months past Mr. Summers had been a very sick man from kidney trouble. He had been for several weeks in Campbell Hospital, then left to spend his declining days with his sister, Mrs. York, of Casino Road, and on Monday was taken to hospital again and died there soon after admission. A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. Summers, who were tenants on Tomki Estate when it was owned by the late Clark Irving, Mr. B. Summers had lived on the Richmond practically the whole of his life. When his parents moved to the Mid Richmond he came with them, and, as a young man, joined up with the Coraki troop of the N.S.W. Lancers, under the then Lieutenant C. J. McRae. This was in 1899 and from thence onwards 'Bob' was always regarded as one of the keenest and most enthusiastic members of the troop. In 1903, when the Lancers on the Richmond became merged into the 4th Light Horse, 'Bob' still continued to wear the colors, and was amongst the first to volunteer for the Boer War, being rejected on some trivial ground by the medical officer. When the Great War broke out in 1914, however, he promptly volunteered, was accepted, and went into camp with the rank of Squadron Sergeant Major. He sailed with the 5th Light Horse, was drafted to Gallipoli a couple of weeks or so after the Landing, and, following the evacuation, saw service in the Palestine campaign till the end of the war, going through the hostilities unscathed, except that he suffered a severe bout of malaria. As a soldier and non-com. 'Bob' won the highest commendation of his superior officers, who more than once tried to prevail on him to accept a commission, but without avail. As game a man as ever wore the uniform, and one of the best non-coms. in the whole field, was how one Richmond River Digger described him to this paper, back in 1919, when the troops came back. He was a born campaigner, and always held the fullest confidence of those with whom he served, especially in days of danger and anxiety. As a Lancer and Light Horseman he was recognised as one of the best tournament men on the Northern Rivers, and he had won scores of prizes and competitions in his day. Ex-Sergt. Major Hitchcock, and Ex-Trooper E. Hughes, both of Georgica, old mates of 'Bob's' military camp days, speaking on Wednesday, referred to the deceased as one of the toughest men to beat in any branch of military or tournament work, while, as a private citizen, he was the soul of honor and integrity, and respected by everyone. 

The funeral on Wednesday moved from the Presbyterian Church, and was one of the largest seen here for a long while, many old ex-military men journeying long distances to be present. The casket was covered by the Union Jack, with the deceased's military hat resting on the flag, while the numerous beautiful wreaths were piled high on the mound. The pall-bearers were all military comrades of other days — Lt. Val. Lauritzen (Kyogle), Tr. E. Hughes (Georgica) , Segt. Major I. A. Hitchcock (Georgica), Sergt. Major Ab. Munro (Steven King's Plain), Tr. F. Riordan (Wyrallah) and Tr. W. N. McPherson, President of the Coraki sub. branch, R.S.S.I.L.A. (Ruthven). A contingent of ex-Diggers marched behind the remains at the cemetery, while 'The Last Post' was sounded by Bandmaster Long, of Woodburn. Rev. J. Leggatt took the services at the Church and graveside, and Messrs. Will. Riley and Son conducted the funeral. Deceased, who was a bachelor, is survived by three brothers — Thomas (Codrington), Will (Goonellabah) and Charles (Lismore), and two sisters, Mrs. F. Antonelli, Tuckurimba and Mrs. York Casino Rd., Coraki. Amongst, the wreaths were noticed those from Mr. and Mrs. Doug. Cameron, W. N. MePherson and the Misses McPherson, Mr. and Mrs. Allan Brown, Mrs. G. Thomas and family, Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Livingstone and Mr. and Mrs. J. Fairhall, Mr. and Mrs. W. Benaud and family, Mr. and Mrs. T. Summers and family. Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Irvine, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Baillie, Mr. and Mrs. J. Mitchell and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. Dolby, Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Goswell and family, Mr. and Mrs. Cain (Burringbar), Mrs. Kennedy and family, Messrs. I. A. Hitchcock and E. Hughes, Jean Summers, Mr. and. Mrs. E. Fretus, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mitchell, Baillie Family (Codrington), Mr. and Mrs. J. H. White, Mrs. York and family, Mr. and Mrs. S. Carrall and family, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. J. Summers and Mr. and Mrs. Homer, Mr. and Mrs. A. Munro and family, C. Baker and family, Mr. and Mrs. W. York, J. Irvine and family, N. F. Baillie and J. P. Steven, Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Sheridan, Mrs. J. Giese and family, Mr. and Mrs. F. Antonelli, Ruby and Jock, Soph, Harry and Bill Fordham, Mr. and Mrs. L. McKinnon, Mrs. Bell and Miss K. Dolby, Mr. and Mrs. J. Newman and family.

APPRECIATION. (By a Friend.)

"Lo! Some we loved, the loveliest and the best,
That Time and Fate of all their vintage press'd
Have drunk their cup, an hour or two before,
And one by one gone silently to rest."

Thus sang Omar — and thus Bob Summers went to his rest a few days ago, amid general sorrow as evidenced, by the spontaneous tribute paid by the great concourse of mourners at his solemn obsequies, on Wednesday. Character alone must have been the moving factor in the honour paid. And, by that token, what was the chief constituent of his character, Unselfishness! If he had been otherwise, he would have laid up a store of material wealth which would have provided for his advancing years. But no! He shared everything with his comrades in arms, and friends in civil life. The Diggers know this, also his friends of long standing. He kept no thing of worldly value to himself, but all the time was unostentatiously and unconsciously storing up the qualities of a spiritual nature which were making for him a place in the Realm, not made by hands, eternal in the heavens, prepared by the Great Architect, of the Universe. Honesty of purpose was his unfailing rule. If he undertook to do anything it was done with a thoroughness which left no room for adverse comment, and gave no place to any carping critic to exercise his faculty. Bob always did to others what he expected they should do to him. He must have been nurtured in the faith and fear of the Scriptures by his parents. My first meeting with him was after the Great War, when I heard him give a fine Biblical account of all the stages in the campaign in the Holy Land, conducted by his chief, General Allenby. One item will always redound to his credit and that was the affection for, and devotion to, his aged mother, when all the other members of the family had moved to other parts. All is over and done Bender thanks to the Giver for thy son - Robert Summers." - from the Richmond River Herald 15 Sep 1933 (nla.gov.au)

SOMERS, WO2 Robert, No. 141, B Squadron.
Born Harwood, NSW. Age at enlistment: 39. Religion: Prot. Single. Farmer, of Coraki, Richmond River , NSW.
Next of kin: Father; W Somers, of Casino Road, Coraki, Richmond River, NSW.
Source: Original, joined Regiment 08 Dec 1914. Corporal / Acting SSM - WO2.
Discharged 29 Mar 1919.
Notes: (P/-LH) Wounded at Anzac: 'Casino Rd' part of NOK address,

(Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire)

Coraki  Cemetery,  New  South  Wales