GILLINGHAM TRAGEDY

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 19 July 1929, Page 5

GILLINGHAM TRAGEDY

FUNERAL OF VICTIMS. PROCESSION A MILE LONG. IMPRESSIVE SCENES. (United Press *BB<y’iAtioi]—fly Electric; Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.> LONDON, July 17. The fifteen victims of the fatal fire at a fete held at Gillingham were buried in a long line of graves. The 'whole town surrendered itself to the solemnity of the service. Every street except those along the line of route was deserted, shops were closed, and a hundred thousand persons watched the funeral procession throughout, its journey of two miles. Police lined the route, and a draped fire engine led the way. A naval firing -party and the band from • the naval barracks with five sailor- j drawn gun carriages followed. On t'he I carriages were the coffins of the naval > cadets, pathetically small beneath the folds of the covering flags. Officers, bluejackets, and a band of white-robed clergy came next, and then one behind the other followed the ten fire engines, each bearing a coffin. After these came hundreds of helmeted firemen, boy scouts, schoolboys and town officials, making the procession a mile long. The mourners were estimated at four thousand.

A dozen -people fainted at the gravesides overcome bv the excessive heat. Twelve sailors fired a volley and the flowers brought in special cars were piled up in a huge mound.