Arthur Prime

Sacred To the Memory
Of
Band Master Arthur Prime
Who Was Accidentally Killed at Edmonton
On 3rd July 1915
Aged 35 years
Erected by Cairns Citizens Brass Band

Headstone : (marble pedestal with column flower motif, concrete edging)
Stonemason: Melrose and Fenwick

Born c1878 in New South Wales to John Prime, and Miria Moss.

Arthur married Margaret Burn Bankier in Queensland on the 22 March 1911 and they had one child, Jeannie.

It seems as though Arthur had a love of music and bands as he was the bandmaster of the Cairns Citizens Brass Band. Checking through records it appears as though he took on the role c1910/11. The first mention of his name was in the Cairns Post on 9 December 1911 when the band played a program of music on the Esplanade.

On the 3rd July 1915, Arthur Prime was coming into Cairns from Gordonvale on the morning train to head the band at the Patriotic fete to be held that afternoon. At Edmonton he left the train for a few moments. He heard the engine whistle, and saw the train was just moving off. Running hurriedly he caught the moving train, but his feet slipped, and he fell down. Death in fact must have been instantaneous.

The late Mr. Prime was well known and universally admired and respected. The large concourse of people who followed the remains to their last resting place was a tribute to the popularity which the late band- master enjoyed. The members of the band headed the mournful procession and they played the “Dead March” en route to the cemetery. The various societies which Mr. Prime had assisted from time to time were also represented at the funeral. The wreaths and floral offerings were numerous.

For 10 years following his death an In Memoriam notice was inserted by “two loving pupils, George and Fred Harris”, in the Cairns Post.

The Cairns Brass Band played at several funerals at the McLeod Street Cemetery, but this one would most probably have been their sadder one.

Information Compiled By: Cairns District Family History Society Inc.