RYE TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 20029, 21 November 1928, Page 7

RYE TRAGEDY

FUNERAL OF VICTIMS OFFICIAL INQUIRY TO BE HELD (BrilM Official Wircleae.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright HUG BY, November 20. (Deceived November 21, at noon.) At Eye, tho funeral of the men of tho British Legion dug tho grave, and legionaries were among the pallbearers, who were mainly lifeboat men. A baud played funeral marches. Because of the press of people, tho service was held in the graveyard and not in the church.' Tho crews of many other lifeboats along the coast were present. Nearly every family in the little hamlet of Rye Harbour had lost someone in the disaster, and the scenes at the graveside were pathetic in the extreme. Mr Williams (Undcr-Sccretary of the Board of Trade) stated in tho House of Commons that his department had decided to hold an inquiry into all circumstances of the disaster. The inquiry would cover certain allegations that had been made regarding defects in the lifebelts worn by tho dead lifeboatmen.

IN ONE GRAVE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, November 20. (Received November 21, at 1 p.m.) Fifteen Rye Harbour lifeboatmen were buried in one grave in the village churchyard, tho sea not having given up the remaining two victims. An enormous crowd was present, trains and motor cars bringing thousands of mourners.

Thirteen clergymen of all religions headed the funeral procession.—Australian Press Association.