Mid North Coast Pioneers - Newcastle to Lismore and beyond

OBITUARY

Newcastle Morning Herald October 1915

Newspaper Obituary from Newcastle Morning Herald.

Death of Mr Joseph Vial - Promising Career Closed.

Mr Joseph Vial, the talented young violinist, of Newcastle, has succumbed to his illness in Ramsgate, England. A cable message was received yesterday by his father, Mr Edwin Vial, from Mrs Vial, conveying the sad news that their sone died on Monday. He was 21 years of age on August 21st last. The news will be received with general regret throughout the Newcastle and Maitland districts, for Joe, as the gifted young violinist was familiarly known, was popular in musical and other circles, his bright, happy disposition making him a general favourite. He made an early appearance in public winning several important prizes at Eisteddfods when quite young. His first big prize he won when only eight year of age. At the age of 12 he passed with honours in the advanced grade of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music, and was awarded the College Medal for the State, and at the age of 14 he passed the difficult examination of Licentiato of the Associate Board of R.A.M and R.C.M. London. On this occasion he was warmly congratulated by Mr Percy Mills, violinist of the R.A.M England, and had the unique distinction of being awarded the Scholarship of the Royal College, which was open to the whole of Australasia. His brilliant playing has charmed thousands of hearers, and won golden opinions from may good judges. He had undoubtedly a great career ahead of his. He left Newcastle on August 7th, 1912, to pursue his studies further in Leipzig Conservatorium of Music. He was under the tuition of Professor Hans Sitt for two years, and afterwards studied under Professor Horter. He was studying with the latter teacher when the war broke out. The story of his illness and the inhuman treatment to which he was subjected by the Germans has already been told in the "Newcastle Monring Herald". Mr Vial has the consolation of knowing that Mrs Vial was with their son when he died.