Obit James Burnard Devlin

Date of Death:22/10/1938

Date of Paper:5/11/1938

Headings:Late Mr J. Devlin’s Eventful Career; Was Lost in Desert

Report:

Mr J. B. Devlin, Nuriootpa, whose death was reported in last issue, was in his younger days a noted horseman and a good shot, having led an active life throughout. He was the third son of the late Mr and Mrs Edward Devlin, and was born at Greenock. He qualified as a driver of steam engines, and married Miss Louise Mary Hartwig, of Dutton, the wedding taking place at Truro on June 21, 1891. The young couple went north, and for 25 years Mr Devlin managed Mt. Lyndhurst Station; this being followed by 14 years as engine driver at Leighs Creek copper mines.

Mr Devlin was also employed at Alice Springs and other northern centres. Whilst at Mumpeeowie he was lost for three days without food or water, but managed to stagger

home dead-beat, having sustained life by chewing small thistles. His sufferings can be imagined, for, in stumbling through the scrub, he had torn off both major toe nails. Later he

was employed by the late Sir Sidney Kidman; but eventually the couple came south, and after short periods at Greenock and Dutton, made their present home near Nuriootpa; Mr Devlin being until a short time ago employed at Messrs D. and J. Fowler’s Kalimna Winery.

Father Maloney officiated at the funeral in Nuriootpa Cemetery on October 24, the bearers being Messrs P. Kiley, Will Shipster, Th. Hatch and N. Kruger. Included among the many fine wreaths was one from the staff at Kalimna Cellars, and one from Wm. Adams & Co., with which his son is associated. Surviving with Mrs Devlin are six sons and two daughters: Messrs James, Nuriootpa; Bernie, Kapunda; John, Adelaide; Walter, Renmark; Nelson, Blanchetown; and Vic., Nuriootpa; MrsE. Nenke, Hyde Park; and Mrs L. Bobridge, Adelaide. Mr Ned Devlin, of Semaphore, is the only surviving brother.

Headings:Mr J. Devlin’s Fatal Collapse on Road Near Nuriootpa

Report:Mr James Barnard Devlin, 80-year pensioner of near Nuriootpa, was found dead on a metalled track near the entrance to Messrs D. & J. Fowler’s scrub at Kalimna, shortly after 10 a.m. on Saturday. Mr. R. F. Shipster, who found him, took him in his car to the Nuriootpa Police Station, where Dr. Hoopmann, on examination, pronounced life extinct.

Mr Devlin, who was subject to fits, had left home some hours earlier to walk into Nuriootpa for some provisions. He was found lying face downward, his hand still holding a £1 note that he had taken to pay for the goods. M.C. Theile submitted a report to the coroner, Mr J. A. Craig, J.P., who decided that death was due to heart failure as result of an epileptic fit. An inquest was not considered necessary.

EventID:614