BRIDE WEEPS AT GRAVE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 64, 9 December 1936, Page 17

BRIDE WEEPS AT GRAVE

Fireman Hero’s Last Call Nearly 50,000 people saw the recent funeral at Blackpool, Lancashire, of a heroic fireman, Raymond Laycock, aged 25, who lost his life in a shop blaze in the town. Many men and women among them gave way to tears at the sight of the tragic figure of the fireman’s young bride, to whom he was married less than a fortnight previously.

A fire engine bearing the remains had been taken to Blackpool Fire Station, and when tbe doors had been closed an alarm was sounded.

Then the doors swung slowly open, and the engine, surmounted by the coffin, gradually emerged. Fireman Laycock had received his last call.

The cortege moved off while alarms were still ringing. Five hundred firemen, representing 60 brigades in all parts of the country, walked behind. Twelve engines were required to carry the wreaths.

The funeral service was held in Blackpool Parish Church, which was the scene of the wedding. The same minister, the Rev. W. Yates, conducted both Eight comrades of the dead man bore the coffin down the aisle..

At the graveside, as the body was lowered to its last resting-place, Mrs. Laycock collapsed, crying, “Ray! Oh, Ray!”