Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), Friday 24 August 1900, page 5



TROOPER GAL VIN. DIED AT PRETORIA. TASMANIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION.. LONDON, Aug. 23. The death is announced of Trooper Thomas Joseph Galvin, of the second Tasmanian contingent. He succumbed to enteric fever at Pretoria. Very sincere regret was expressed yesterday afternoon when the sad news was received in' Launceston of the death from enteric fever at Pretoria on Sunday last of Trooper Thomas Joseph Galvin. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. G. T. Collins) telegraphed to the Very Rev. Dean Beechinor early in the afternoon, asking him to break the news to his father, Mr. Joseph Galvin, Elizabeth-street. Dean Bleechinor requested Father O'Mahony to convey the sad intelligence to Mr. Galvin, who was very much overcome with grief, as he only received a letter from his son on Saturday last, dated from Edensdale, July 18, in which he stated he was in the best of health, but, with the other members of the contingent, had been doing some very hard work, which had considerably tried his strength. During the afternoon and evening Mr. Galvin and family were the recipients of numerous messages of condolence, and, they have the sympathy of all residents in their bereavement, which has come upon them so suddenly. Trooper, Galvin, who left Tasmania \with the second contingent on January 18, enlisted at Beaconsfield, where he had been employed for several years at the Tasmania mine. He was about 29 years of age, and' a native of tnis city, where he received his education, afterwards serving his time as a cabinet-maker. Deceased was of a most genial disposition, and his sterling qualities won him a host of friends wherever he established himself. There is, however, no place where. deeper regret will be felt than at Beaconsfield, where he was associated with several local institutions and a favourite with. everyone. Our Hobart correspondent telegraphed last evening that the Administrator (Sir John Dodds) liad received a cablegram from Sir Alfred Milner, Capetown, informing him that Trooper Galvin had died at Pretoria on Sunday last from' enteric. fever.

Very deep regret, was felt this afternoon when the news was received that Trooper Galvin had died in South Africa from fever. He was well known in Launceston and at Beaconsfield, and had a host of friends. His illness must have only been of short duration as his father, Mr Joseph Galvin, grocer, of Launceston, had a letter from him on Saturday last dated from Edendale, July 10. He was then enjoying excellent health and had just participated in some luxuries received, from kind friends in Tasmania. - The North Western Advocate & Emu Bay Times (Tas), 24 August 1900.

The memorial lamp was unveiled at Beaconsfield by Mr. T.H. Waldock. M.H.A.,who spoke in eulogistic terms of Tasmanian soldier sons, especially of Trooper Galvin who laid down his life for the empire. Mr. Woodman acted as chairman and explained the steps which led up to the erection of the memorial. Appropriate speeches were delivered by Messrs. Jas. Crawford and C.F Heathcote general manager of the Tasmanian mine after which a considerable amount of cheering was indulged in. Miss Heathcote switched on the light. - Examiner (Launceston) 12th August, 1902.