FIREMAN'S DEATH

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 154, 28 December 1936, Page 13

FIREMAN'S DEATH

THOUSANDS AT FUNERAL

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 (says the "Daily Express"). 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 the 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 caU. The cortege moved off while alarms were still ringing. Five hundred firemen, representing sixty 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 services. 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 TJ.av!"