Mr Edward Kercher met with an accident at the Kenmore Asylum works on Monday afternoon. Mr Kercher, who is a carpenter, was on some scaffolding a plank of which gave way, Mr Kercher falling a distance of twelve or fourteen feet to the floor. His head and elbow were a little injured, and there was a slight concussion of the brain. Dr Handcock-Burkitt attended Mr Kercher who is now almost recovered. We understand that the workmen at the asylum subscribe to an accident fund out of which anyone injured while at work is assisted.
MR H E KERCHER
The death is announced of Mr Harold Edwin Kercher, at Murwillumbah, formerly of Goulburn. Mr Kercher was a tobacconist and hairdresser in the northern town and was held in high esteem there. He was 39 years of age and had been very ill during the past six months. During the war he served for four years with the 54th Battalion in which he was a sergeant. On hi return he married in Brisbane Miss Margaret Irene Beresford, who died five years ago. He entered into business with his father the late Mr E G Kercher in Main Street, Murwillumbah. His mother lives in Murwillumbah. He leaves three children, Stanley Edwin (14), Margaret Joan (12), and Lorna Beresford (11). Three sisters also survive: Miss Dulcie Kercher, of Murwillumbah; Mrs R B Francies, of Sydney; and Mrs D Giddy of Murwillumbah. Mr Kercher was a member of the Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows and the Murwillumbah branch of the Returned Solders. The funeral was a striking tribute to the esteem in which Mr Kercher was held, particularly by the Diggers of the Tweed. Some 90 Diggers and 40 Lodge members formed a guard of honour as the casket was borne towards the graveside. The service was conducted by Rev G E Ure, of All Saints' Church of England and that of the lodge by PDGM Bro Walter Carroll. The Last Post was sounded.
Mr Edward James Kercher, well-known resident of Goulburn, died in hospital yesterday afternoon at the age of 68 years. The late Mr Kercher had been in ill health for about three years, but did not enter hospital until Sunday night, and news of his death came as a great shock to his relatives and many friends.
Mr Kercher, who was the third son of the late Mr and Mrs Charles Kercher, was born at Tiranna and came to Goulburn at an early age. He was a carpenter by trade, and during his association with the late W Wilkie he was engaged in the carpentry at the Kenmore Mental Hospital when the buildings there were in course of erection. Later he was appointed as foreman carpenter at Kenmore, leaving the institution to take up a similar appointment in the railway service. The late Mr Kercher, who was retired about six years ago, was regarded as a very capable tradesman.
In his younger days he was a fine athlete and performed successfully at the Volunteer Fire Brigade demonstrations held in various parts of the State, winning numerous trophies for the Goulburn Brigade, which he joined in about 1887. He was also a member of "G" Company, 2nd Volunteer Regiment, commanded at that time by Captain Blackshaw, and was a good rifle shot.
Cycling was another branch of sport to attract Mr Kercher's attention and for some years he was a well-known competitor in road and track races. He had been a member of the Masonic Lodge for 40 years.
Mr Kercher was married at Goulburn to Miss Lavinia Stevens, who survives him, together with four sons, Percy (Goulburn), Stanley (Leeton), Lewis (Goulburn) and Alan (Goulburn), and two daughters, Mesdames L Jones (Queanbeyan), and B Duncan (Goulburn). He also leaves one brother, Mr Alfred Kercher, (Goulburn).
The funeral will take place this afternoon at four o'clock, leaving the Masonic Temple for the Church of England portion of the General Cemetery. Prior to the funeral services will be held at his late residence and at the Masonic Temple.
Two local cyclists, Messrs H Hayes and E Kercher, started from Goulburn on their machines on Good Friday morning on a tour round the south coast to Sydney. Leaving at 7.30 they arrived at Marulan at 9.45 for breakfast, and Moss Vale was reached in time for dinner at 1.40. On Saturday morning the journey was resumed at 7.45, and the Fitzroy Falls were reached at 8.30, where a stoppage was made for half-an-hour. The bicyclists next proceeded to descend the mountain, a distance of ten miles into
