Death of Mr. R. A. Lester

6 December 1949 The Tumut and Adelong Times

The death occurred at his residence, 43 Prices Avenue, Woronora, on Friday last of Mr. Robert Anthony Lester, well known Tumut solicitor and a partner of R. A. Lester and Paul. 

The late Mr. Lester had been in ill-health suffering from heart trouble for some years accentuated by the severe shock at the loss of his only son Kenneth who is presumed to have died whilst a prisoner of war in the hands of the Japanese. 

Mr. Lester's health was responsible for his retirement from his work as a Tumut solicitor, handing over to Mr. V. Paul whom he admitted as a partner and taking up residence at Woronora where the climate was more favorable to his health.

He suffered a heart attack on Thursday and another on Friday from which he did not recover.

He was 62 years of age. Deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved widow and the three daughters Janet, Audrey (Mrs. Fred Harris, of Lacmalac) and Janice. 

The funeral took place in Sydney yesterday. Further reference will appear in a later issue.

Obituary - Mr. Robert A. Lester

13 December 1949 The Tumut and Adelong Times 

As briefly recorded in a recent issue, the death occurred at his residence, Price's Avenue, Woronora River, via Sutherland, on 2nd December of Mr. Robert Anthony Lester, former well-known Tumut solicitor, aged 62 years.

He had been in ill-health for some years, suffering from heart trouble which had forced him to retire from his legal practice in Tumut in 1944 and to take up residence in a warmer climate.

The shock at the loss of his only son Kenneth, who died in1942, at the age of 21, whilst a prisoner of war in Japanese hands also militated against his health. 

The late Mr. Lester was born in Sydney, a son of the late Mr. James Ewart Lester, and was the eldest of a family of four.

His father was for many years a surveyor at Cootamundra. 

After leaving school the late Mr. Lester went into a Bank for twelve months and was then articled to Morgan & Morgan, solicitors of Cootamundra.

His first practice was at Murrumburrah, where he met and married Miss Charlotte Florence May Crigan, youngest daughter of the late Rev. H. H. Crigan and of Mrs. Crigan, now of Warracknabeal, Victoria.

The Rev. Crigan was Rector at St Paul's, Murrumburrah, for many years.

In 1919 the late Mr. Lester purchased the legal practice of Messrs. Emanuel & Emanuel at Tumut and he continued in his legal profession until ill-health forced him to retire in 1944. 

The late Mr. Lester was an esteemed citizen of Tumut and was held in high regard by all with whom he came in contact.

Many people in the Tumut Shire benefitted greatly by his understanding approach to their problems and by his capable and kindly advice.

His services as a legal representative were much in demand. 

He is survived by his widow and three daughters, Betty, Janice and Audrey (Mrs. Fred. Harris, of Tumut).

One daughter predeceased him at the age of 13 months, and the only son, Kenneth, died whilst a prisoner of war in 1942.

There are also two sisters, Margaret and Janet Lester, and one brother Mr. Hamilton Lester, all of Beecroft, surviving. 

The funeral took place at the Woronora Cemetery on 5th December.