Davidge, James George

Obituary.

MR. JAMES DAVIDGE.

Mr. James Davidge, who died at his home in Narracoorte on Friday, November 7th, had been a resident of Narracoorte for 28 years, and although he had lived an active life, he had, in spite of his advanced years, enjoyed fairly good health and retained his faculties since his retirement sixteen years ago.

The deceased was born at Langport, Somerset, England, on August 13, 1853, and was 88 years of age. He received his early education at the Langport National School, and after that he learnt the saddlery trade. In later years he took over the management of the saddlery department at a colliery in Derbyshire, and after leaving there he commenced business on his own account in Hucknail, Torkard, Nottingham, where he remained until he left for Australia in 1892. He was married in 1879 to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Wheatley, in the Baptist Church, Leicester, and the young couple made their home at Hucknall, Torkard, where they remained for 11 years. They sailed to Australia 48 years ago in the Port Albert, a vessel of 6,000 or 7,000 tons, and came by the Cape route, the voyage occupying five and a half weeks. The Davidges were then the first complete family to land at Port Adelaide for many years. The late Mr. James Davidge opened a shop in Port Adelaide, a cycle department being run in conjunction with the saddlery, and for 21 years he carried on business there, with his home at the Semaphore. After disposing of his interests Mr. Davidge went to Kangaroo Island, where he opened a general store, with which he combined saddlery and cycle work. After remaining there for seven years Mr. and Mrs. Davidge and the family came to Narracoorte, and their son, Mr. G. W. Davidge, purchased the saddle, harness, and cycle business carried on by the late Mr. W. Shoebridge, in the premises now occupied by the Narracoorte Sports Depot, and placed his father in charge of the saddlery department, which he managed until his retirement sixteen years ago. The shop was changed over to a sports depot, when Mr. G. W. Davidge left the district, he having purchased a business in Adelaide.

On October I4th, 1939, Mr. and Mrs. Davidge celebrated their diamond wedding, when all the members of the family assembled for the unique function except the eldest member,

Mr. J. L. Davidge, who was in India, but was a short time previous home on furlough. The fine old couple were on the occasion heartily congratulated by many friends on reaching their sixtieth year of married life.

During his twenty-eight years in Narracoorte the late Mr. J. Davidge had made many friends, and his kindly nature and companionable disposition won for him the esteem and goodwill of all with whom he came in contact. He saw many changes since he came to Narracoorte, especially during the last six or more years, during which the district had made its greatest progress.

Throughout his long life, with his wife, he has been closely associated with church matters, and for over 60 years he has been a lay preacher. On coming to Australia Mr. Davidge became connected with the Baptist Church at the Semaphore, and he linked up with the Methodist denomination at Kangaroo Island and Narracoorte, where there were no Baptist churches, and his cheerful manner and bright personality has been a never failing source of inspiration to his family and his large circle of friends. During more recent declining years he had lived quietly in his home, and his end came peacefully after a well spent life. The deceased is survived by his widow and a grown up family of two sons and two daughters, viz., Messrs. Gerald W. (Adelaide), J. Leonard (India), Miss Gertrude Davidge (Narracoorte) and Mrs. J. Dridan (Narracoorte).