Tom Garstone
Tom Garstone was one of the earliest settlers in the Katanning region when he took up land at Marracoonda naming it “Martling”.
A very community orientated man, Mr. Garstone was a foundation member of the Katanning Agricultural Society, and its President for 20 years, a member of the Katanning Road Board for many years and was a Justice of the Peace for the district.
1896 Katanning Road Board Members:
Front: Michael Cronin, Tom Haddleton, F.T. Fisher-Crosby (chairman), R.S. Taylor, Tom Garstone.
Back: Elijah Bell, L.D. Hart (pressman), T.H. Stansbury (secretary), Pat Cuneen.
Obituary
MR. TOM GARSTONE.
Southern Districts Advocate
1 July, 1929 (p3)
On Wednesday morning last there passed away at his residence, “Martling,” in the Marracoonda area of the Katanning district, yet another of the pioneers, in the person of Mr Tom Garstone.
The funeral took, place on Thursday afternoon, the body being brought into the Anglican Church at Katanning by motor hearse, and here the Ven, Archdeacon Burbidge conducted a service, the church being crowded by relatives and friends of deceased.
A very lengthy procession then followed the remains to their last resting place, the Anglican portion of the local cemetery, where the Archdeacon concluded the service, Mr J. Squiers attending to the mortuary arrangements. Pallbearers were Messrs. F. M. Gare, F. T. Fisher, Crosby, F. M. Joy, C. J. Gunter, Wm. Pemble and Alex. Prosser; the funeral arrangements being in the hands of Mr. John Squires.
Mr. Tom Garstone was born near the city of Hereford, England, on March 16, 1866, migrating to Queensland when about 18 years of age. In 1890 he came to Western Australia; having first tried all the other States in turn.
After engaging in sandalwood cutting for a time, Mr. Garstone took up, as virgin country, the fine property at Marracoonda, which he named “Martling” after the property worked by his father in the Old Country, and which now is held in the name of T. Garstone and Sons.
Very shortly after settling in the district Mr. Garstone evinced the public spiritedness which he retained until his death; being created a Justice of the Peace in 1902 and joining the Katanning Road Board shortly after its inception in 1894, which position he retained until a few years ago. He was a foundation, member of the Katanning Agricultural Society, and its president for over 20 years, death severing this association of so many year’s.
He leaves a widow, three sons and two daughters to mourn his death.
Floral offerings were forwarded by the following: – Loving Wife and Family, his loving Grandchildren, Richardson and Co., Mrs. F. H. Piesse, Chairman, Members and Staff Katanning Road Board, Mr. and Mrs. Hams and family, Mrs. Wood and family, J. W. Longmire, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Quartermaine and family, Mr. and Mrs. E. Wilhelm and family, Mr. Bolt, Snr., and. G. L. Bolt, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Beeck, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Bird and family, Arnold E. Piesse and E. S. R. Piesse, Mr. and Mrs. C. Severin; A. Ball and family, Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Piesse, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. McQuarrie, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Ricket, Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Prosser and family,
Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Ladyman and family, Mrs. Kabitz, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Ladyman, Elder Smith and Co. Ltd., Mr. and Mrs. T. Pethick and family, Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Wanke, The Katanning Agricultural and Pastoral Society, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Ladyman, Mr. and Mrs. Inglis Synnott and Staff “Great Southern Herald“, Mr. and Mrs. H. Ladyman and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. Mouritz, Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Beeck, Katanning District Council ‘Primary Producers Association’, Mr. and Mrs. J. Fidock, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Davey, Mrs. Day and Ethel, Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Tree, Mr. and. Mrs. F. Higman, Mr. and Mrs. Crosby and family, Mr. and Mrs. W. Crane, Mr. and Mrs. Wise and family,
Mr. and Mrs. Dick Wilcox and family, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Day, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Gunter and Constance, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Beeck, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Dale and family, Mrs. A. L. Haddleton and family, Mr. and Mrs. Harold O. Croft, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Anderson and family, Mr. and Mrs. T. White and family, Mrs., Miss, and Max Richardson.