FIELD-MARSHAL SMUTS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26221, 19 September 1950, Page 7

FIELD-MARSHAL SMUTS

CAPE TOWN, September 15. Vast crowds lined the streets of Pretoria to-day as the funeral procession of Field-Marshal Jan Smuts, led by 24 armoured cars and with 2000 troops marching six abreast, passed on its way to the railway station. Bearded veterans of the Boer War led a former servicemen’s contingent in the two-mile procession, and eight generals who had served under General Smuts were pallbearers. As the procession entered the station 19 guns boomed out a salute and nine Spitfires of the South African Air Force dipped in salute. Bare-headed men stood silent and women wept as buglers sounded “Last Post” when the coffin was taken from the gun-carriage to the funeral coach. Resting on top of the coffin was a single wreath of Cape heather tied with green and gold ribbon. The wreath was a tribute from Mrs Smuts, and bore the inscription: “Totsiens Papa.” From Pretoria the coffin was taken to Johannesburg for cremation. The 45-miles of railway between the two cities was lined by 30.000 people, Europeans. Africans, and Indians. Mrs Smuts, who is 79, listened in at home to the broadcast of the funeral service.

Australian Table Tennis. New South Wales won the Australian teams’ title in the Australian table tennis championships at Brisbane last night. A former world champion, Michael Szabados, won the men’s open singles, beating the previous titleholder, Walter Lowen, of Victoria, 2115, 21-16. 23-21. In the men’s open doubles, Szabados and Dankin beat Anderson and Dunn, 21-14, 22-20, 2111.—Brisbane, September 17.