MILITARY MINERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8203, 28 July 1915, Page 4

MILITARY MINERAL.

BOMBARDIER .JU M. MARCH.

The mortal remains of tho lato Bombardier 3"; M. March, of tlio Now Zealand Expeditionary Force, were carried to their last resting place yesterday with military honours. Tho deceased soldier was some time ago invalided home from Egypt, and for tho greater part of the period since then he has been very ill at his parents' residence at. Water ton. His death took place on Saturday last. The cortege left the house at 2 o'clock, headed by a firing party, consisting of a number of County Territorials, under the charge of Staff-Sergeant-Major Mortimer Thatcher and Sorgcant-Major • Hopwood (Tinwald). The hearse came next (a' gun-carriage was not available); the casket was covered by a Union Juck, and bore the deceased "soldier's helmet, belts, etc. Immediately following the hearse came Sergeant F. C. R. Upton, Private F. O'Connor, C.C.M., Private L. J. N, Fowke (wounded soldiers returned from the Dardanelles) and Private Foster (invalided home), .Captain-Quarter-master G. D. H. Hefford and Lieuten-ant-Quartermaster ;J. B. Christian, all on foot. The chief mourners came next and then a long string of other mourners.

The last rites at the graveside wero impressively performed by the Rev. W. J. Oxbi-ow,* Methodist minister n-t "Willowby. At 'the conclusion of the funeral servico the firing party fired three volleys over the grave, and two buglers sounded the "Last Post." Tho flags at the Willowby School and Post Office wore flying half-mast high. There were a large number of beautiful wreaths. The Mayor (Mr' Robert Gnlbraith) and Mr P. L. Orr, representing the Ashburton Patriotic Committee, were present.