OBITUARY MRS. GORDON THOMAS
Catherine Mary Thomas passed away peacefully at a local private hospital on Friday Last. She had been in indifferent health for some years.
Kate Thomas (as she was popularly known) came to Campbelltown some fifteen years ago and soon became an enthusiastic worker in the various local organizations including the Red Cross, Torchbearers for Legacy, Hospital Auxiliary and the St. Peter's Women's Guild. She was past vice-president of the Red Cross Society.
Born in Port Chaltpern, New Zealand in 1875, she came to Australia in the early 1900's and took a course in obstetric nursing to fit herself for service with the Methodist Mission work in then German New Guinea, proceeding there in 1905. For several years she was in charge of the Girl's school at Watnabara in the Duke of York Group, near Rabaul. In 1912 she married Mr. Thomas and they lived in Buka, Bougainville and the British Soloman Islands on various coconut estates until Mr. Thomas went to War. She returned to New Guinea in 1921 and remained there until evacuated in December, 1941, shortly before the Japanese invasion of the Territory.
The funeral took place at St. Peter's Church on Monday morning last, the Rev. J.F. Rofe conducting the service in the church and at the graveside. Many old New Guinea friends of the deceased attended.
One of New Britain's best-loved early settlers died peacefully at Campbelltown, N.S.W on December 10th. She was Mrs. Kate Thomas wife of "Tolala" of Pacific Islands Monthly.
Mrs. Thomas first came to New Britain as a Methodist Mission Sister in the old German days fifty years ago and she was the first European sister to join the mission at Kahaina. Later served for some time at the Mission in the Duke of Yorks.
After marrying Gordon Thomas at Kieta, Bougainville, Kate Thomas made her home with him on (M.P.) Choiseul Plantation where he was employed.
It is interesting to note that the ceremony was performed by the then German District Officer, Capt. Dottinger.
Gordon Thomas is a well known islands identity and he has a strong link with this newspaper in that he was Editor of the original "Rabaul Times" at the time of the Japanede invasion.
Mr. Thomas has been resident in Campbelltown for some years and is a prolificcontributor to the Pacific Islands Monthly Under the pen-name "Tolala."
Just prior to her death Mrs. Thomas spent some months in hospital as the result of a broken thigh, and had only been discharged a week when she passed away.
Mrs. Thomas, who will be sadly missed by many New Guinea friends, has two nieces still living in the Territory. They are Mrs. Joan Purierly, Rabaul and Mrs. Betty Parker, Port Moresby.
