JAMES FOTHERINGHAM . Supervised the making of equipment for the colonist troops

Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954)Friday 20 June 1924

Obituary

"MR. JAMES FOTHERINGHAM After a brief illness Mr. James Foth eringham, a well-known and old resident of Launceston, passed away at his resi dence, "Ruthven, " High-street. He was in his 83rd your. The late Mr. Fotheringham had an in teresting career. He was the youngest son, of the late William Fotheringham M.A., of Edinburgh, where he was born, and educated at the school of the late Dr. Begg, who was father of the well known actor, Mr. Walter Bentley. He had a number of brothers, the eldest of whom served in the Southerland High landers under Sir Colin Campbell during the Crimean War, and another Captain Mark Fotheringham, was drowned at sea in the vicinity of Leith. At an early age he became associated with the Royal Navy, in which one of his brothers was paymaster, and went on a three years' cruise to South America on H.M.S. Aboukir. At the end of the voyage he felt that life among the troops held more adventure, and much against his parents' wishes, he deter mined to join the army, enlisting in the 7th Dragoon Guards, in which he served for four years, and subsequently in the Royal Horse Artillery. His interest in horses and equipment led him to transfer to the saddlery sections of these (sic) regiment. Later in he joined the well-known Edinburgh firm of Andrew Watt and Sons, with whom he remained for 18 years. In 1879 Mr. Fotheringham proceeded to South Africa under special engage ment to Messrs. Hamilton, Bros., of Grahame town, and supervised the making of equipment for the colonist troops taking part in the Zulu War. On the completion of his contract his love of roving took him to the Kimberley diamond fields for three years, and on the slump of the eighties he decided to emigrate to Australia. After a brief stay in Sydney, Melbourne, and Ho bart, he settled in Launceston, where he founded the well-known business of Jas. Fotheringham and Co. In 1914 he revisited Scotland, and had the unique experience of dodging the Emden when a passenger on the R.M.S. Osterly. Up to the time of his illness Mr. Fotheringham was able to take part in his daily routine. He was of a kindly and generous disposition and sterling character, and will be missed by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. He leaves a family of one son and six daughters. Mr. W. Fotheringham has been associated with the firm for some 20 years, and the married daughters are Mrs. E. A. Gee and Mrs. F. J. Gunn, of Launceston, and Mrs. C. Rudd. of Melbourne. Another daughter, Miss Alice Fotheringham, is on the staff of the Brighton (Vic) Girls' Grammar School."

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