Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

OBITUARY Mr. J. A. McBride
HERBERTON Aug. 20 John Arthur McBride, who died at the Atherton District Hospital on June 24 after a severe bout of influenza belonged to one of Herberton's best known pioneer families.
He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack McBride whọ spent years On the Herberton mineral field.
Young John, or Jack as he was always called, was born in Cairns on Nov ember 23, 1916 and came to the Herberton mineral
field with his parents. He was educated at the
Herberton State primary and high schools and in 1937 38 went into business. He and his friend M. Dodd O'Hanlon opened a garage and spare parts centre in Grace street and were immediately successful.

After the outbreak of the war he joined the service and on August 27, 1941 and became a member of the Armoured Division where he became a mechanic and tank driver with the rank of corporal. Jack was discharged in 1945 and returned to North Queensland.
In 1948 he went to Bunbury WA, and returned with Miss Ivy Fitch as his bride.
The two young people decided to rebuild on the site of the old garage and opened up a fancy goods, china, electrical appliances and automotive parts and accessories business. In 1958-59 they purchased another business in Atherton which Mrs. McBride ran while her husband looked after the Herberton shop.
Mrs. McBride was taken ill and had to be taken to the Cairns Base Hospital. Her husband was returning via the Kuranda Highway and near Mareeba when a collision Occurred. He was left in the car with a broken a leg. He was found there by a passer-by and taken to hospital where he spent 16 weeks with his leg in traction.
Mr, McBride's health had been seriously impaired and they sold the Atherton shop. They carried on with the Herberton shop for another two years and opened a small business in Atherton. They had decided to go into semi-retirement in Cairns when Mr. McBride fell a victim to the influenza epidemic.
He went into hospital for treatment but passed away on June 24.
Mr. McBride was a member of the Herberton Corrie Lodge, the Duke of Connaught Lodge at Atherton. Evelyn Royal Arch Chanter the Rose Croix chapter and the OES.
The funeral, which was preceded by a Lodge of Sorrow at the Duke of Connaught Lodge at Atherton, was held on June 26 at 3.30. Rev. Reinecker conducted the service at the church and the last rites at the graveside. The deceased was accorded full military service.