FUNERAL OF MR O’HARA

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21805, 10 June 1936, Page 8

FUNERAL OF MR O’HARA

* MANY PUBLIC BODIES REPRESENTED

LITTLE COUNTRY CEMETERY

CROWDED

(raass association tileohams.)

THAMES, June 9.

The last rites at the funeral of Mr W. M. O’Hara, the trans-Tasman flier who was killed when his aeroplane crashed in Australia, were performed this afternoon, when the remains arrived at the Hikutaia Roman Catholic Church from Hamilton by hearse. A crowd of more than 1000 attended, more than 300 cars forming the cor tege to the cemetery at Wharepoa, where Mr O’Hara was born and where he spent the early years of his life. A brief service at the church was conducted by the Rev. Father D. Silk (Matamata), assisted by Fathers Lyons (Thames), O’Meara (Paeroa), and Brodie (Opotlki). Returned soldiers, representing the Waikato, Thames. Paeroa, Te Aroha, and Cambridge Returned Soldiers’ Associations, formed a guard of honour at the church and at the graveside. The pall-bearers were Messrs D. J. Gate, E. C. Day, E. F. Clayton-Greene, R. Sweet, H. C. M. Norris, M. J. Galvin, all of the Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association, and T. McCarroll and W. GMmore, of the Thames Returned Soldiers’ Association. .The little country cemetery was crowded. Father Silk conducting the service. The body was interred in a grave adjoining that of his lather, Mr Patrick O'Hara. “Last Post,” sounded by a cadet, concluded the brief service, which was simple and impressive. The children of the Wharepoa School, which Mr OHara attended, were formed up at the gate of the cemetery, paying silent tribute as the cortege passed. The chief mourners included his mother, Mrs M. O'Hara, his brother-in-law, Mr E. MacIntyre, and other relatives. Present at the church and also at the graveside were Squadron Leader L. M. Isitt, representing the Director of Air Services, Flying Officer C. E. Kay, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Major L. Potter, New Zealand Defence Department, members of aero clubs, Returned Soldiers’ Associations, and local bodies throughout the whole

district. Wreaths, which almost surrounded the grave, included the fol:nMem°e r 3 tbe Royal Dutch Indies Airways; Lady Miller; Paha and Western Australian Aero Clubs; AuckNew Plymouth, and Hamilton Aero Clubs; New Zealand Machinegun Corps; Returned Soldiers’ Associations; local bodies, and friends. The casket bbre a silver name-plate, which was surmounted by a silver cross, and • a il 111011 Jack throughout the service. Many of the wreaths were the shape of miniature aeroplanes.