ARGUS PERSONAL NOTICES
11th July 1911
Some two years ago Mr WH Judkins underwent a severe surgical operation. His friends will be sorry to learn that the trouble has recurred. A consultation of his medical advisers took place last week, with the result that Mr Judkins’s condition was pronounced to be serious. He will, therefore be compelled to cancel all platform and pulpit fixtures in order to afford him every possible chance of recuperating. His friends are requested to accept this intimation as a cancellation of all engagements.
15th July 1911
The friends of Mr WH Judkins will be grieved to learn that there is no improvement in his condition, but that the state of his health continues to be critical and alarming. It is proposed to raise a fund that will show appreciation of the service he has rendered to moral and social reform. The Rev. AR Edgar, of Wesley Church, and Mr John Vale, of Equitable buildings, are acting as treasurers of the movement.
20th December 1911
The many friends of Mr WH Judkins will be glad to know that he has rallied considerably. He is restricted to the use of crutches on account of local weakness and there is no sign of permanent recovery from the malady which he is suffering, but he is able to move about again with less difficulty.
DEATH OF MR WH JUDKINS
A ZEALOUS REFORMER
“It seems so strange to have dropped suddenly out of the
hottest part of the
battle , into a quiet that is disturbing because of its clamorous
insistence.”
So recently, wrote Mr William Henry Judkins, whose death occurred at
his residence,
Camberwell, a little after noon yesterday. Mr Judkins was always a
fighting force, and
social reform in this country and Methodism throughout Australia
sustain a
heavy loss by reason of his passing.
The death of Mr Judkins, which closed a long battle against disease,
had been anticipated
during the last few days. The deceased gentleman was conscious and
mentally alert to the
very last, and the end came with affecting peacefulness.
Originally choosing the career of State School teacher at his native
town of Creswick,
Victoria, Mr Judkins later felt drawn towards the work of the
Methodist Ministry. He
entered with zest upon the local preacher’s work, and afterwards passed
through the
students stages to a probationer’s station in New Zealand. In
that country his
strong personality and force of character were eagerly recognised
to a remarkable
degree by his temperance reform work. It was in New Zealand that
his health first
showed signs of serious break-down. While yet a young man he had
to
“go-slow”, and with much mental distress he recognised at last that for
him the
life work of the ministry was an impossibility. He had to abandon the
idea of ordination
to the Methodist Church.
His force as a writer had won him some prominence in both New Zealand
and Australia at
this time, and on his return to Melbourne he became associated
with the Australasian
edition of the “Review of Reviews” first as an advertising agent, and
later as
editor. With temporarily improved health he threw himself actively into
social reform work
in Melbourne, and his dominant character very quickly made him a force
to be reckoned
with. His crusades against the gambling evil , particularly in
association with Rev AR
Edgar, Rev Henry Worrall and other will be vividly remembered. This
anti-gambling movement
did much towards the passing of the Gambling Lotteries and Betting Bill
of 1906.
Mr Judkins in his private life, was a man of charming personality.
Quiet, genial, a
winning friend, it was difficult to recognise in him at his home the
fiercely eloquent
fighter of the public platform. Thousands will miss him for his
exemplary kindness
of heart and wise counsel, and the quiet, unobtrusive force of his
character has done much
during his latter days to build up the reform work, which was largely
inaugurated amongst
the religious community of Melbourne. It is significant also that when
he lay on his death
bed, the public testimonial to him was subscribed largely by his bitter
opponents.
Mr Judkins married a New Zealand lady and hid widow and one daughter
survive him. The
deceased gentleman had completed his 43rd year.
A short service will be held at Wesley Church, this afternoon at half
past 2pm, when the
funeral will proceed to the Boroondara Cemetery. A memorial service
will be held at Wesley
Church next Sunday afternoon.
From: THE ARGUS Wednesday September 4th 1912
DEATH NOTICE
JUDKINS - On the 3rd September 1912, at his residence, Campbell-Road, Upper Hawthorn, William Henry Judkins, aged 43 years.
FUNERAL NOTICES
JUDKINS - Members of the independent Order of Rechabites are invited
to attend the
Funeral of our late Bro. WH JUDKINS PDCR at Wesley Church,
Lonsdale-street on Wednesday
(This day) at 2.30 and to follow his remains to the Boroondara
Cemetery, Kew.
Regalia, with mourning badge.
John Vale DS
JUDKINS - The friends of the late Mr William Henry
Judkins are respectfully
notified that his remains will be interred in the Boroondara Cemetery,
Kew.
A service will be held in Wesley Church, Lonsdale-street, THIS DAY
(Wednesday September 4
1912) commencing at 2.30pm after which the cortege will proceed to the
place of interment,
arriving at cemetery gates about 4pm.
LE PINE & SONS, Funeral Directors
JUDKINS - Gentleman attending the Funeral of the late WH
Judkins in private
carriages are requested to fall into line on the north side of
Lonsdale-street, west of
conference-hall. Public conveyances on the south side of
Lonsdale-street.
LE PINE & SON, Funeral Directors
From: THE ARGUS Wednesday September 4th 1912
