STATE FUNERAL

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 233, 28 June 1922, Page 5

STATE FUNERAL

LAST TRIBUTES TO SIR HENRY WILSON IMPOSING MILITARY DISPLAY BY TaLIGBAPH—PMBS ASSOCIATION. -COPYRIGHT. London, Juno 26. The funeral of Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, though shorn of much of its pageantry owing to rain, was an imposing military display and a magnificent tribute. The brilliant uniforms of great military and naval dignatories were covered by cloaks and mackintoshes. The funeral proceeded from Eaton Place to the Embankment, and thence to St. Paul’s. The route was densely crowded. The cortege was escorted by six battalions of the Guards and eight squadrons of the Household Cavalry. The muffled drums of the combined bands of the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, and Welsh Guards rolled out the preliminary to Chopin’s Funeral March. The coffin was born on a‘ gun-carriage, and was draped with a Union Jack, and surmounted by Sir Henry Wilson’s sword and plumed hat. On either side of the gun-carriage the pall-bearers walked, including Field-Marshals Lord Grenfell, Lord Methuen. Lord French, Earl Haig, and Sir William Robertson, also Earl Beatty and Sir Hugh Trenchard. Then followed Sir Henry Wilson’s grey charger. The Duke of Connaijght, representing the King, walked with Marshal Foch, followed by representatives of the War Office and the Army Council, foreign dignatories, and the High Commissioners. The body was laid to rest in tho crypt of the Cathedral between those of Lord Roberts and Lord Wolseley. The Cathedral was crowded long before the procession arrived. , All the members of the Cabinet were present. The Guards took up a position around the entrances or St. Paul’s, standing with arms reversed. , The service within was simple’,and impressive. Tho musical .portion included the Twenty-third Psalm, Stanford’s anthem, “I Heard a Voice from Heaven,” and Goss’s anthem, “If We Believe that Jesus Died,” also the hymn “O God/ Our Help in Ages Past.” Tho service was conducted by Canon .Alexander, the Bishop of London assisting. The congregation remained standing while the Dead March was played, and then the “Last Post” and tne “Reveille” were sounded. While the coffin was being lowered thijre was an affecting scene, and women and even soldiers wept. Lady Wilson left the Cathedral leaning on the arm of Marshal Foch. —■ Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. June 27, 9.40 p.m.) London, June 26. Marshal Foch’s wreath for Sir Henry Wilson was inscribed, “From His Best Friend.” Telegrams of condolence were received from tho Italian and Slovakian Ministers of War and from the Chief of the Japanese General Staff. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. SERVICE AT BELFAST (Rec. June 27, 8.55 p.m.) London, June 26. ‘Sir James Craig and members of the Northern Irish Government attended a memorial service in tho Belfast Cathedral, which was held simultaneously with the service at St. Paul’s. Twenty thousand shipyard workers in Belfast ceased work at noon, as a tribute to Sir Henry Wilson. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LADY WILSON’S THANKS (Rec. June 27, 9.40 p.m.) London, June 26. Lady Wilson has issued the following statement: —“I hope in time to thank the thousands of kind friends throughout the world for the sympathy which I feel around mo, but still more to thank them for the wonderful tribute to mv beloved husband, who died for the Empire he loved so well.”— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. “WILFUL MURDER" t EVIDENCE AND VERDICT AT INQUEST London, June 26. An inquest into the death of FieldMarshal Wilson was held at the Westminster Coroner’s Court. Major Wilson, brother of tho deceased, gave evidence that the deceased had received police protection. He did not know when it was withdrawn. A taxi-driver, whose name was'withheld, stated' that he drove Sir Henry Wilson homo. Wbun be reached Eaton Place Sir Henry Wilson walked towards his door, and witness (had started to drive off when he heard a loud bang. 'He looked round, thinking one of his tires had burst, and saw Sir Henry stepping on the kerb. "I saw a man with a revolver in his right hand standing on the road three yards beyond Sir Henry Wilson,” witness (continued. “I saw the man fire a second and third shot quickly, and Sir Henry fell face downwards on the pavement. I did not. see tho sec' end man. I drove off. I did not see Sir Henry Wilson draw his sword.” A servant employed in Sir Henry Wilson’s house stated that after the shooting she spoke to Sir Henry Wilson, who tried to reply, but could noy. A street labourer stated that Sir Henry Wilson did not appear to hear the first report. ■ After the second shot he bent doyqj to ftvoid further shots. Witness saw a big man three yards on Sir Henry Wilson's right side, and a smaller man four yards off ou his left side. He heard numerous reports as though both men were firing. Sir Henry- Wilson was shot nt several times while standing doubled up in front of the door. Witness then related his story of the chase after the murderers. Mr. Macdonnoll. solicitor for the accused, remarked that on his advice tho accused were not present. Other evidence followed on the lines of tho cabled reports. A verdict of wilful murder against Connolly and O’Brien was returned, and they were committed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Evidence at the inquest disclosed that the assassins were armed with service revolvers. There were eight bullet wounds in the. victim’s body, Including one at each side of the chest, both of a fatal nature. Tho Coroner paid a tribute to tho inspiring bravery of 'the tuy-abiding Englishmen, who, though unarmed, chased the murderers. —Reuter. LABOUR RESOLUTION (Rec. June 27/ 9.40 p.m.) London, Juno 26. The executive of tho Labour Party adopted a resolution expressing abhorrence at Sir Henry Wilson’s assassination, and deploring tho policy of viol-

ence in Ireland, against which British Labour had always protested. It also congratulated Ireland’s workers on the success achieved at the felections. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MINISTERS QUESTIONED NO EVIDENCE OF ORGANISED PLOT (Rec. Juno 27, 8.55 p.m.) London, June 26. Mr. A. Chamberlain, replying to a question in the House of Commons, said that his information regarding the revolvers with which Sir Henry Wilson was murdered led to tho supposition that th.ey did not form part of tho aims handed over to the Provisional Government, but the records were being searched. Mr. E. Shortt stated that the raids which followed the assassination showed that there was nothing revealing the existence of an organised plot to use firearms or bombs against any particular persons. Replying to A question, Mr. Shortt also said that it was incorrect to say that any order had been given for the discontinuance of police protection for Sir Henry WilSon. A special officer was placed at the disposal of the War Office where necessary for tho protection of the Chief of the General Staff, but when Sir Henry Wilson vacated that position the police protection was discon-tinued.—Aus.-N.Z. .Cable 'Assn. WARNED TO TAKE CARE SHOTS PREFERRED TO HANDSHAKE (Rec. Juno 27, 10.30 p.m.) London, June 26. During the Irish debate in the House of Commons, Mr. Ronald McNeill narrated his last conversation with Sir Henry Wilson,' twenty-four hours,; before his death. Sir Henry Wilson was about to visit Glasgow, and’Mr. McNeill had urged care, saying: “You may be shot at there.” Sir Henry Wilson replied: “Well, they may miss me.” Mr. McNeill: “Yes; but they may hit you.” Sir Henry Wilson, in his whimsical way, replied: “Yes, they may: but it would be much nicer to be snot at by them, than to shake hands with them.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BOTH MEN LONDONERS.. London, June 26. Mr. E. Shortt (Homo Secretary) stated in the House of Commons that the murderers of Sir Henry Wilson were Londoners. There was no evidence that they ha'd ever been in Ireland in their lives.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn