Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

OBITUARY.
MR. THOMAS ROBERT EATHER.
The death occurred in Melbourne on Wednesday, of Mr. Thomas Rob rt Eather, eldest son of Mrs. Eather (Sydney) and the late Police Inspector, J. J. Eather, well-known in this and other Northern centres. He is survived by his widow (formerly Miss Alice Williams, of Uralla), four sons, Bruce (A.I.F.), John, James and Brian (Melbourne) and two daughters Margaret and Bernice (Melbourne). Brothers and sisters are: Mr. W. F. Eather (1st. A.I.F,) (Brisbane), Colonel J. J. Eather (A.I.F. Melbourne), Rev. H. V. Eather, M.S.C. (Alice Springs), Mrs. Walter Elliott (Armidale), Mrs. A. E. James (Boggabri), Mrs. M. P. Power (Lismore), Sister M. Celsus (Maclean), and Mrs. E. D. Moon (Wallerawang).
In his youthful days the late Mr. Eather was a keen sportsman and figured locally in rifle shooting, cricket and football. After leaving Armidale he transferred to the newly established Commonwealth Bank, where he was on the staff of Sir Denison Miller, first governor of the bank at the bank's head office in Sydney. The week following the declaration of war in August 1914, he enlisted as a private and sailed on board the Berrima for an undisclosed destination. Taking part in  the occupation of Rabaul, he was  one of a party detailed to capture the Komet, which was the first enemy ship to be taken by Australian troops. Promotion followed rapidly and, after attaining the rank of captain. he was commissioned to open the the first branch of the Commonwealth Bank in the newly-occupied territory, and later, under the ad ministration of Brigadier General Petherbridge, was appointed treasurer and a member of the administrative staff for the duration of the war, and was subsequently appointed Treasurer of the Mandated Territory, of-New-Guinea, a post he held until ill health,; due to tropical conditions compelled him to return to Australia, and take up a position in the Defence Department, Melbourne, where he was employed up to the time of his death.