RYE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1928, Page 5

RYE DISASTER

FUNERAL OF VICTIMS

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, November 20

At the Rye funeral men of the British Legion dug the grave and legionaries were among the pall-bearers, who were mainly lifeboat men. A hand played funeral marches. Because of the press of public the service was held ill the graveyard and not in the church.

The 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 tlie ex-

treme. Air Williams (Under Secretary of the Board of Trade) stated in the House of Commons that his department had decided to hold an inquiry into all the circumstances of the disaster. The inquiry would cover certain allegations that had been made regarding defects in the lifebelts worn by the dead li'feboatmen. funeral of victims. LONDON. Nov. 20. Fifteen Rye Harbour lifeboat men wore buried in one grave in tbe village churchyard, the 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 he funeral procession.