LAST RITES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 143, 18 August 1941, Page 5

LAST RITES

MILITARY FUNERAL AT CAIRO

THE LATE PTE. E. HOWELL,

In a letter to friends at Matatri, Pte. V. C. 'ftiodre, of the Middle East Forces, gives first-hand information regarding the death of Pte. E. Howell and of the military funeral held at the Cairo Cemetery. Pte Howell, who was a popular resident of the Whakatane district and an outstanding Rugby and tennis player was killed in an accident when a truck collided with an ambulance.

The funeral took place on July 22 at the Cairo cemetery specially reserved for New Zealanders, the late Pte. Howell's platoon being in attendance together Avitli many of his personal friends, including Fred Howell,.Bob Thompson, Ernie Rogers, Sgt Pat Warbrick and V. G. Moore. The coffin was draped with the New Zealand ensign on top of which reposed the wreath of the Rangitaiki Rugby Union. Following the funeral service read by Padre Sheehy a farewell address in Maori was delivered by Aubrey Rota.

The pall-bearers: were : Sgt F. A. Burt, Q-Sgt E. Rogers, Sgt R. Wilson, Sgt P.i Warbriek, Cpl R. Thompson, Pte V. C. Moore. B Coy Maori Battalion was' represented by Lieut A. Rota, who in military seniority was preceded by Lieut Col. Dittmer O.C. Maori Battalion. Other chief mourners were Sgt-Major G. Peebles (Bay of Plenty Rugby Union), Driver A. (Stock) McDonald (Rangitaiki Rugby Union), Pte J. Minarapa (Matata Football 1 Club), Cpl H. Cresswell (Edgecumbe Football Club), Pte J. King (Aiwakeri Football Club), Sgt Ei- Guest (Te T'ekcv Football Club), Driver J. Stewart (Thornton Football Club) .

Pte Moore has sent to friends ribbons from wreaths and a photograph of the late soldier which was taken In Cairo on the evening preceding the tragic accident.