Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Josiah John DRIDEN and Alice nee GILLETT

Husband of Mrs Rosa Victoria Dridan, Henley Beach, South Australia

DEATH OF WILLIAM DRIDAN
 
Fine Soldier and Citizen Passes
 
Renmark was shocked when it was learned that Mr. William Dridan had died very suddenly at his home in Fourteenth Street last Saturday morning. He passed away at 7 a.m.  while in the bathroom. On Friday he attended as usual at the office of R. P. James and Co., of which firm he was a partner. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, when 70  cars followed the hearse and about 250 townsfolk and settlers paid their last respects to one who during the whole of his life, both as a soldier in the last war and as a citizen, had done his duty well. The flag over the R.S.L.. club room flew at half mast when it was known the. Mr. Dridan had passed away. Born 68 years ago, Mr. Dridan was the son of the late Mr. J. J. Dridan, of Roseworthy. 

As a young man he was employed on the South Australian Railways, and later was in business in Adelaide. In 1906 he married Nurse Rosa Victoria Poole. Two boys were born to them. Merlyn died at the age of seven. Sergeant Observer Don Dridan was the second son. At the time of the sudden passing of his father, the airman was home on short leave  before leaving for a destination unknown.

The late William Dridan enlisted in the 1st. A.I.F. and sailed for England with the 50th Battalion, serving in England and France. His experience in the S.A. Railways stood him in good stead while in France, and he was promoted to sergeant. Returning to Adelaide after the war, he was employed in the Taxation Department, after which he left for the River  and joined in partner ship with Mr. W. E. Poole in the Paringa Supply Store. That was in 1920. Leaving Paringa he came to Renmark and entered into partner ship with Mr R. P.  James as an agent and auctioneer. It was then he had built his well appointed home in which he resided with his wife who during the last war was a V.A.D. and during this war has been a prominent worker on behalf of the Red Cross.

21 Years as Council Clerk
For 21 years Mr. Dridan was clerk of the Paringa District Council. During that long period of duty he gained the complete confidence of every settler in the Murtho, Paringa, and Lyrup districts by his integrity and I honesty of purpose. He proved him self an efficient clerk in every respect. His bookkeeping was highly commended by the Government authorities the auditors falling to fault the books he was required to keep. But apart from bookkeeping he was essentially a man of action. With the council's full approval he had  erected a new council chamber with excellent appointments, At the opening of the chamber he was complimented on the manner in which the work had been carried out. Roads throughout the whole of the district were greatly improved while under his Control and they stand as a work he and his council may well be proud of. From Paringa to the Loxton  boundary the fine, road now in use was put down under his supervision, while the road signs established were in some instances put in by him personally. In the Lyrup area roads  were greatly improved. He worked hard in the interests of this settlement and to this Cr. A. J. Gallary can testify. In all these labours he was assisted by the road contractors who  found in him not merely a boss but a loyal comrade. He never spared himself, to those who had left the district In the planting of trees of tribute during the war, he saw to their attention and always proved himself a lover of flowers and trees. The greatest work Mr. Dridan and his council undertook was the provision of a water scheme for the farmers on  Paringa. This scheme had many setbacks, but owing to Mr. Dridan's persistency the government at length saw the urgent necessity of the scheme. After much labour he had the  satisfaction of seeing the Murray flow right round the frontage cliffs to Margro, thus giving to farmers a permanent stream of fresh water and saving them in drought times coming to Paringa or even Renmark for domestic supplies. This stream of water may well serve as a memorial to the late clerk.

Mr. Dridan was electoral officer for Chaffey, a position which he filled with efficiency. He was for some time secretary of the Paringa School Committee and keenly interested himself in child welfare both at Paringa and Lyrup. Farmers came readily to him for advice, and as a J.P. he gave it freely at all times. Mention must be made of his efforts during  flood time in connection with the Calperum Hill road to the Lyrup punt. Carters and labourers worked with him and by their united ef forts the road was kept open with the floods  lipping the banks put up.

Work in Reviving Renmark Show Mr. Dridan's work as secretary to the Renmark Show Society was out showed his ability. Deceased had standing. The shows he organized an  orderly mind. He took a keen interest in all war work and the Mayor of Renmark (Mr. S. A. James) has called him a tower of strength. He was Deputy Controller of Quartering in  Renmark, and as such saw that everything was ready in case of any emergency. He was first secretary of the Renmark Ambulance Committee, and was a member of the R.A.A.F.  pre-selection committee. Mr. Dridan was a member of the Renmark Masonic Lodge and ever since his arrival on the River had been a member of the Renmark R.S.L. sub-branch,  being on the committee of the Benevolent Board which has accomplished such good work among soldiers. The president of the sub-branch (Mr. T. B. Wood) paid a high tribute to  deceased and said his death would be felt by all members. He had contributed valuable papers at sub-branch meetings. Mr. Dridan held down a big job when he was secretary to  the Amalgamated Society of Enginedrivers and Firemen of South Australia. He did capital work in this capacity.

Prior to the funeral on Sunday afternoon a service was held in the Methodist Church with the Rev. P. V. Hansen officiating. Deceased's favourite hymns, '"Abide with Me," and "Jesus Lover of My Soul," were rendered, with Mr. R. P. James at the organ. The clergyman spoke of the fine work done by deceased and said he had always been a worshipper in the church. He had passed on to dwell with Christ. Covered with the Union Jack the coffin was surrounded by 50 beautiful wreaths. Pallbearers were Messrs. T. B. Wood (president R.S.L.), N. McIntosh (who served in the 50th Battalion and was a comrade in arms of deceased), A. Wilkinson (Murtho Park), A. J. Gallary (Lyrup councillor in the Paringa District  Council), M. Pethick (R.S.L.), and E. E. Jarrett (representing the Renmark Municipality).  After the solemn ritual for the dead had been delivered by the Rev. F. V. Hansen, Mr. A. T.  Anderson (secretary of the R.S.L. sub-branch) recited the soldier's requiem, "They shall grow not old ..." He then placed a poppy on the coffin and said, "The service of the day is  over, the hour has come to rest. This poppy, an emblem of sacrifice, the symbol of life given for one's country, is a link between our comrade and us who remain. We place it here  in remembrance." After this ceremony the Last Post was sounded by Bugler Malycha.

Two brothers of deceased survive. They are Messrs. J. J of Naracoorte, and H. F., of Mt. Burr. Another brother, the Late S. J. Dridan, was one of Renmark's foremost Citizens, and a fourth brother Lieut. V. G. Dridan, made the supreme sacrifice in the last war. Matron, L. E. Dridan, who was in charge of the Renmark District Hospital, was a sister. Mr. H. C.  Dridan, of Renmark is a nephew.

Some Personal Tributes
Mr. H. B. Ogilvy said, "I have known William, Dridan for many years, and I think I can truthfully say he had not an enemy among us. He was a fine man in every respect and we  all feel his death acutely."  Mr. T. A. Hughes (chairman of the Paringa District Council) who has worked in close collaboration with Mr. Dridan, said that he had proved himself the  best clerk the council had ever had. He was, said the chairman, the soul of honesty and was a true friend to all. He was a man who would try and try again if there was something he thought needed to be done for the benefit of the district. He never let up and generally succeeded in his endeavours. "It will be difficult to replace our late clerk," said Mr. Hughes, "and his passing came as a great shock to everyone of us."
Mr. H. G. Evans (president of the Renmark Show Society) said that Mr. Dridan as secretary of the show society had proved himself a first class organizer. He was, said Mr. Evans, a good man, a fine soldier and a goodcitizen.
Mr. Arthur Wilkinson said Mr. Dridan was one of nature's gentlemen. As clerk of the council he was very efficient, and his integrity was out standing. His books were well kept at all times and he had proved him self a straight forward man in every respect. He concluded with, Mr. Dridan, with his capabilities, will be a very difficult man for us to replace.