LEINSTER LEADER APRIL 9 1973
OBITUARY. Mr. T. S. Lyons, Kill
The death of Mr. Thomas Sandall Lyons occurred on Thursday, March 22nd. Born in 1879, he was son of Alan Rutherford and Elizabeth Lyons, Hartwell House, Kill, Co. Kildare, where the family have farmed for generations.
Educated in Dublin, he enlisted in the 74th Imperial Yeomanry at the age of 19 and served in South Africa. As one of the very few veterans of the Boer War, he recently recounted his experiences to historian Tom Packenham, currently writing a book on that era.
On his return to Ireland, Mr. Lyons concentrated on farming which involved him in enduring interests of horses and riding. As a horse lover he for many years imported Clydesdale draught horses and was one of the first to import the breed to Ireland. A good judge of cattle (and horses), he was a successful competitor at the Co. Kildare Agricultural Show from 1913 to 1915.
A versatile man, Mr. Lyons took a keen interest in business and in 1945 became a founder member of Clondalkin Concrete Ltd., from which he retired in 1968. And during his term of office he saw the firm grow from a small local enterprise to a countrywide organisation.
A resourceful man, he in conjunction with M/S Crampton organised the supply of gravel by canal barge from Sallins to Dublin in sufficient quantity to keep the firm in production in face of an acute shortage of petrol and oil during the Second World War. The possessor of a keen sense of humour, he was extremely popular with his business associates and with all sections of the community.
The funeral took place on Mar. 23 to St. John’s Church, Kill. Interment was in the family plot in Maudlins Cemetery, Naas, following a service in St. John’s on March 24. The cortage at one stage was a quarter of a mile in length.
Predeceased by his wife, Florence Jane Le Feaux, whom he married in 1910, Mr. Lyons is survived by four sons, two daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Mrs. Alice Lyons, Canada (sister-in-law), nieces and nephews.
Re-typed by Mary Murphy
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