FUNERAL SCENES

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 November 1925, Page 5

FUNERAL SCENES

LONDON’S MANTLE OF SNOW.

SPECTATORS’ SUFFERINGS.

(Reuter.) V I j? .GH /’)’ LONDON, November 29. London was already white with sixteen hours of frost,- and by nineo’clock the cloud-flecked sky became an ominous grey, and from the dull canopy came in a thickening fall a white mantle wliidh gave a gorgeous touch to the -loved Queen’s- funeral. The cold literally gnawed into’ one’s bones ; yet nobody abandoned a vantage point, and few even raised their umbrellas. The whole line -ofi-the procession was wedged between masses of mourning public, who derived some warmth from -the density of their packing. They,! at least-,< were at liberty to move their frozen feet, but the less-fortunate troops, stood like snow-shrouded statues. Quite a number of them fainted from the sleet and colld. It is reported that one hundred women were similarly Effected. This is not surprising, because crowds of them formed the. first line of the human avenue, soon after dawn. Sir John Foster Fraser, describing the Westminster Abbey -scene, -says he formerly saw Queen Alexandra smiling with grandmotherly, delight at Princess Mary reading, and he contrasted that scene with the one now □f the King standing a little way from-the other wen, but very near his mother. He never moved, or lifted, his head; he yust stood, amid a mighty congregation—a nation in mourning—bidding, the longest of farewells, as though all alone, and very lonely, which indeed he was. The Prince of Wales Stood-in. wistful sadness behind his father. Three Queens, meanwhile, stood within the altar rails. Queen Mary was so heavily -shrouded in mourning that few recognised ’her- when she entered. Ths > superb service was marked by many manifestations of emotion, but :he whole congregation seemed most affected, when the hymn “On the Resurrection Morning,” chosen by the King himself, was sung. Wlien all was over, the King stood a long time beside the coffin, before he turned and joined ’his sons. The crowd entered the Abbey two abreast, and the time allowed was very short, a policeman’s sharp* “Hurry on please!” being necessary in order to allow alll to enter. Often women went as they bowed, and many dropped flowers beneath and in the shadow of the coffin. Evensong was held in another part of the Abbey, the music adding reverence to the people’s homage. At a late hour it was arranged that the Abbey be open until six o’clock on Saturday. Upon the Queen’s own flag, bearing the arms of England and Denmark rested blossoms of pink and white forming a cross, while almost covering the chancel rails were wreaths from Europe’s sovereigns. There were great masses- of others, but the tributes of the humble found a place also.

The newspapers print messages of scenes of mourning throughout the world. Cities' as far apart as Paris md Pekin joined with the Empire, constituting a girdle of grief around the whole earth. ■

Theatres, cinemas, and principal resorts closed for the day, while thousands of people stood shivering ; n the cold to catdh a glimpse of the 'procession. Thousands listened to i special commemoration service held at Canterbury Cathedral and broad 1 casted throughout England; An idea of the quantity of floral tributes is gained from a Paris message renrting an unprecedented shortage of roses, violets and carnations, whole train loads haying been sent to England to meet the enormous demand. Those remainihg in Paris are being retailed at fifty per cent, above the usual nrices. The "Crown Prince and Princess' of Sweden, the Crown- Prince of Rouraania. the Prince of Wales',’the Duke and Dqchess of York. Princess Mary ’’nd Viscount Lascelle® dined with their Majesties at Buckingham Palce last evening.

WOMEN’S PILGRIMAGE.

LONDON, November -28.

Queen Alexandras funeral, in its way, despite tno 'lack' of ordered show, was a tribute of the common people. Perhaps the most abiding of to-day’s sad memories is tnat from daybreak in chilling winds, through a heavy snowstorm, a bitter evening, and far into the night, _ the pilgrimage to the flower-decked Abbey shrine continued. A queue four abreast stretched for two miles away into the thick mist. Advancing step by step many women were unable to endure the cold, and fainted. Ambulances were in attendance and Kept busy. More than three-quarters of the patient waiters were women. By midnight sixty thousand had passed the catafalque of whdhi forty • thousand were Women, mostly middleaged or elderly, many poorly dressed, and ill equipped to meet the rigors of the bitter weather. The interior of Westminster Abbey presented a wonderful contrast with the wintry conditions outside. Hundreds of distinguished personages including Cabinet Ministers and exMinisters, diplomats, and the High Commissioners, in full levee dress, entered, covered in snow. Notwithstanding the brilliant uniforms, black was the dominant tone, the women wearing the deepest mourning. The chief centre of colour was the coffin, which was a mas® of gold and crimsori'. The women’s weeping made a most affecting scene, when the service opened with the singing of “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

King George was a 'lone, grave figure, standing beside the coffin. A pathetic incident was the arrival of a number of blinded soldiers from St. Dunstan’s. There was a tragic sequel to the funeral of Queen Alexandra. Canon Westlake, custodian of the Abbey, who participated in the funeral service, died suddenly 'this evening ait his residence within the Abbey pre-

cincts. Memorial services for Queen Alexandra were held in churches, schools and hospitals throughout the Jtmure. Thousands of people in the Mother country were unable to leave their homes, but participated in a service broadcasted, from. Canterbury Cathedral. Business in the various exchanges and at the Haw courts was 'at a standstill during (the Abbeyceremony, and many shops and business houses closed. Blackboards were prominent everywhere m .London theatres, and dance halls closed for the day. Farewell salutes were t irpd bv guns at the principal naval and military stations. A special memorial Service was held at Stieeri rP c. s , whose guns were the first to salute the Queen her arrival m

England as a Princess from Denmark;--- M •-» ft..

Almost every hamlet in Britain Jilts special . service simultaneously with tire striking ceremony -at the Abpeyr Villagers at East parish ’Church; Penh- .were moved by i r a. beautiful rendering of the “Ave Maria,” and they discovered that cne singer. wasi Madame Tetrazzini, the famous prima donna, who was a warm friend'of the Queen Mother. It was noticed that the Admiralty flag in Whitehall alone was not halfmasted,- -and it was explained mat this flag is- governed by the same re* gulations as the - Admiral’s illag at sea. and is never lowered day ’or night, except on the' death of the reigning monarch. Reports from the Continent state that memorial services were neld wherever there was a British community. One of the most touching remembrances on the ‘Continent was a gathering in St. Alban’s Church, Copenhagen, where the Queen, ' the Crown Prince, Royal Pamily, Cabinet Ministers, and l diplomats were present, after which a salute of sixty guns was fitted. ARRIVAL AT-WINDSOR. LONDON, November 28. - The arrival -of a motor ’Hearse - with Queen Alexandra’s Coffin at : the Henry VIII Gate at Windsor at 8130 this morning was witnessed by only a few passers-by, the people - thus showing their regard for the King s wish for privacy, and for a minimum interruption of business. Their Majesties motored, from London, and they entered unobserved at the old Windsor side of the castle, upon which t'he Unton Jack, flew at --the top of the staff till, in accordance with custom, the Royal Standard substituted, to denote that the lung had arrived. The coffin, still bearing the King’s wreath, ' was . taken into , the Memorial Chapel, where, 'in the presence only of t’he‘Royal Family and members of the Household, the Dean of Windsor read the committal prayers. The choir sang the. Anthem, “How' -Blest are They,” and the-hymn “Now the Labourer’s Task is Over.” Then the casket was lowered into t’he Tomb House, where it will remain until the sarcophagus in St. George’s Chapel is ready to receive Queen Alexandra’s and King Edward’s coffins THE KING’S MESSAGE. LONDON, November 28. The King, in a message “To my people,” says: —“In my great sorrow, I am helped by the flood of sincere generous sympathy, reaching inc from every quarter of the British Empire, and, indeed, from all parts of the world. While lam deeply grateful for these expressions of good will, I also rejoice that my beloved mother enjoyed the constant, warm affection of my people. It is such a proof of -allegiance to my Throne and family that has given me confidence and strength in any anxious day I have had to face in the past fifteen years.”

JAPANESE TRIBUTE

TOKIO, Nov. 29.

A memorial service for Queen Alexandra was held in the English Church and was largely attended. The Prince and Princess Kuna,- representing the Regent, the Premier, members of the Cabinet, and high naval and military officers were present.