Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

PASSED AWAY.
VICTORIAN DEFENCE OFFICER.
MAJOR THOMAS F. UMPHELBY
We regret to have to announce the death of Major Thomas F. Umphelby, of the Victorian Defence Forces, which occurred this morning, at 3 o'clock, at the deceased gentlemen's  residence at Melbourne Chambers. Last Thursday week Major Umphelby visited his place Lintwarden, Pakenham, and while there contracted a very severe cold, which developed  into double pneumonia, from which he died, as stated, at three o'clock this morning.
Major Umphelby was in his 54th year, having been born on the 22nd February, 1855. He has long been in business as a stock and station agent. His first commission in the  military force was obtained on 28th June, 1893, when he became a lieutenant in the Victoria Rangers. While still in the same force he was made a captain on 25th October, 1900,  and was at the same time given the honorary rank of major. He was transferred to the 10th Regiment of Australian Light Horse on the first July,1903, and went on to the  unattached list on the 21st May, 1904, and has remained unattached since. The deceased officer served in the South African war from 1899 to 1902. He went out as an officer of  the second Victorian contingent, under command of Colonel Price, and served in Cape Colony, Orange River Colony, Transvaal, Natal, and on the Zululand border. He was in action  at Houtnek. Vet River, Zand River, Johannesberg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill and Belfast, and for a time was attached to the staff of the general commanding In the Natal district. He  gained the Queen's medal and six clasps, and the King's medal and two clasps. His brother, the late Colonel Umphelby. was killed in the South Afri can war, and his son also  served in the war. Major Umphelby leaves a widow, one son, and five daughters. Mrs Umphelby is a daughter of the late Mr Austin, of Barwon Park, Wlnchelsea. One of the daughters is married, and another is at present in England. The son resides at Illamata, Rosedale. The funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon, leaving St. James' Church, West Melbourne, for the Melbourne General Cemetery. There will be a short service in the church. The funeral arrangements have been entrusted to A. A. Sleight, of Collins street.

The death occurred on 7th July, at his residence, Melbourne Chambers, of Major T.F. Umphelby, who succumbed to pneumonia, supervening upon a cold contracted less than a fortnight ago.  Major Umphelby, who was 53 years of age, was a brother of Colonel Umphelby, one of the first Victorian officers to lose their lives in the Boer War.  Major Umphelby became a major in the Victorian Rangers in 1896, being promoted to a captaincy, with the brevet rank of major in 1900.  He went to South Africa under Colonel Tom Price in 1902, was in action of several occasions, and was subsequently second in command to Colonel Otter of the Fifth Victorian Contingent.  He leaves a son (Lieutenant Umphelby) who has served in the Boer War) and four daughters.