LAST TRIBUTES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 221, 15 June 1938, Page 12

LAST TRIBUTES

Late Major-General Sir George Richardson BURIED WITH MILITARY HONOURS By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, June 14. iu cold rain this afternoon nearly 2000 people gathered to pay their last tributes of admiration and affection to the late Major-General .Sir George Richardson when he was buried with every military honour that Auckland could offer. The congregation which filled St. Mary’s Cathedral in every part for the funeral service was testimony not only to the value of his life work as a soldier, but also to his worth as a citizen and to the personal ideals of which lie was a consistent example. Three wearers of tlie Victoria Cross were among those who carried his coffin and more than 300 ex-servicemen, including many who looked ill-fitted for tlie ordeal, inarched in the cortege and dropped their scarlet poppies into his grave in the soldiers' plot at Waikumete Cemetery, The casket, covered with a Union Jack, had been placed in the cathedral earlier iu the day. Upon it lay tlie general’s sword and forage-cap, and ou tlie steps below the chancel screen were massed great numbers of wreaths sent by individuals and public organisations of every kind. Tlie screen was decorated with four large wreaths of laurel and the hangings of the altar were red. Sir George’s three sons, other relatives and officers of the military, naval aud air services sat ou either side of the casket, and further back were tlie mayor and mayoress, Sir Ernest aud Lady Davis, with, practically all members of the city council, departmental heads and ex-councillors. Ex-servicemen and representatives of local bodies, patriotic, civic and social welfare organisations of every kind, including many women, completely filled tlie church. Many were unable to find seals ami stood.

Archbishop Averill gave a short address. The military cortege had been drawn up in Parnell Road, beaded by a firing party of the Royal New Zealand Artillery and the band of the Auckland Regiment. Tlie coffin was placed upon an 18-pounder gun carriage drawn by six horses with drivers from the R.N.Z.A. As the procession moved off a salute of 19 minute-guu.s was fired from tlie battery at North Head. Ou either side of the gun-carriage marched the six bearers aud eight senior officers as pall-bearers. Next came a riderless charger led by a soldier, and after this Sir George’s sons, with the other mourners. They were followed by official representatives of tlie three services. Four individual parties, each consisting of an officer ami 25 men, represented tlie Royal New Zealand Artillery, the Navy, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and the Royal Nava! Volunteer Reserve. Detachments from the artillery and other territorial units followed. Over 300 ex-servicemen marched behind the territorials, in their ranks the toll of war was very evident. Some required tlie aid of a stick. Others lacked limbs and a few were blind men led by their comrades. That they paraded in such weather was clear proof of their devotion to the leader who had died. A party of police and another from the Legion of Frontiersmen brought, up the rear.

Half a mile further on' the procession halted and tlie coffin was transferred to a motor hearse. When the coffin had been lowered in the Soldiers’ Plot three volleys were fired over the grave, and a bugler sounded the “Last Post” and “Reveille.” Ex-servicemen filed slowly past and one by one, took poppies from their coat lapels and dropped them upon the coffin in token of farewell. t In the cathedral and at the cemetery, Mr. J. A. Lee, Parliamentary Undersecretary in Charge of Housing, represented the Government. SPIRIT OF SERVICE Archbishop’s Eulogy Dominion Special Service. Auckland, June 14. “After the many splendid tributes which have been offered concerning tlie life, service and character of the late Major-General Sir George Richardson,” said Archbishop Averill at the funeral service in the cathedral, “it may seem superfluous to add anything further, but, as a representative of the church to which he belonged, I may claim the privilege, before his mortal remains are committed to their last resting place, of conveying to Lady Richardson and his family the very real sense of loss experienced by the whole community in the death of Sir George. “One feels instinctively he was indeed worthy of every promotion bestowed upon him. Whereas the rapid promotion which fell to liis lot might have had an effect on rhe personality and outlook on life of men of lesser breed than Sir George Richardson, yet, as we know, lie remained the same bumble, self-effacing and genuine soul which he bad til ways been. “The spirit of service was purl of' his very being, and after his military career hud ended, instead of resting on his laurels, he turned his energies to social service—to helping his fellow returned soldiers and the rising generation. His work as Administrator of Western Samoa was largely directed to the welfare of the native inhabitants, and on his return he at once found practical outlets for the exercise of that deeply-rooted human trait which was inherent in him.

“It was in accordance with his passion for service that he humbly placed his many gifts and talents at the disposal of his fellow citizens and served as a member of the city council. The position of deputy-mayor, to which lie was recently appointed, and which appointment gave great pleasure to .thousands of his friends and admirers, was accepted by him in the spirit which we should have expected.”