LAST TRIBUTES.
Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette , 10 June 1936, Page 4
About this newspaper
LAST TRIBUTES.
MR. W. M. O'HAEA
Draped with a. Union Jack, the coffin containing the body of the Into Mr W. M. O'Hara, the well-known New Zealand airman, who was killud on May 24 in an aeroplane crash at Eumungerie, New South Wales, was brought to Auckland last Monday evening by the steamer Monowai. The coffin was swung ashore soon after the vessel berthed. Those waiting on the quayside to accept the coffin were Mr O'Hara's brother-in-law, Mr B. Maclntyre, of Warkworth, Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt and Flying-Officer C. E. Kay, representing the Boy at New Zealand Air Force, and the president, Mr Spencer R. Mason, and members of. the Auckland Aero Club. There were representatives of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association and former members of.the New Zealand Machine Gun Corps, with which Mr O'Hara was associated in France. Captain F. Bauer, Vice-Consul for. the Netherlands, who was a personal friend of Mr O'Hara, was also present. •The coffin was conveyed to a mortuary van on the wharf, and the former war comrades and friends of Mr O'Hara marched with bared heads behind the trolley which bore it. Among the wreaths, which were placed inside the van by different organisations, was one from the Rodney Returned Soldiers' Association, and one in the form of a miniature aeroplane from the Auckland Aero. Club. Another wroath, in the shape of a model aeroplane, 2jft. long, made from violet, and yellow flowers, was laid by Mr J. Hargreaves on be-. half of Auckland friends of Mr O'Hara. The procession followed the train to the wharf gates where a wreath on behalf of the city was laid by the Mayor, Mr Ernest Davis. '. The coffin was later sent by train to Hamilton'-where the. first part of the funeral rites were performed at the Catholic Church yesterday morning. Requiem Mass was celebrated by Father D. Silk, of Matamata, who also gave the Absolution at the Catafalque, assisted, by Father M. J. Bleakley, of Hamilton. . " .The casket, which was draped with the Union Jack, was then borne from the church by••'members of the Waikato R.S.A., who also ■formed a guard ■of .honour at the church door. "At 9.30 the funeral left for Hikutaia and Wharepoa, where the remains were interred. . . ' ~
;^A large number attended the funeral from-Wark worth and/district, the Eodney Eetiu-ned Soldiers' Association also being represented by the following members :—Messrs E. H. Petterd (secretary), Eev. D. Hickman, V. W. Holclen, S. W : JBrakenrig and C. 0, Ellis.
