"Fighting Mac” Laid to Rest

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 44, 22 February 1936, Page 6

" Fighting Mac” Laid to Rest

Citizens Pay Silent Homage It was with an inspiring but restrained demonstration of community sorrow that Palmerston North yesterday honoured the late # Squadron-Leader Malcolm C. McGregor, as “the great and loving land which gave him birth received again his dust.” The funeral of tho distinguished pilot, who died on Wednesday after a crash at Bongotai airport, afforded singular proof of the affection felt by a city and a nation -for a man whose eminence in his profession was but tho cornerstone of his great manhood.

A full military funeral was accorded the deceased aviator and thousands of civilian mourners participated, but the ceremony was somehow not devoid of that simplicity which was tho constant desire of “Mae” throughout his life. When the casket, conveyed in a motor hearse from Wellington, reached tho vicinity of the railway station, it was transferred to a gun carriage, tho team and riders being drawn from the seventh and eighth batteries, New Zealand Artillery. Captain G. M. McGaskill, M. 0., was in charge of the military arrangements. Members of the New Zealand Air Force acted as pallbearers, and as an immediate escort. They were followed by Union Ainvays pilots—colleagues of the late Squadron-Leader —in dress uniform, and by a large group of B.S.A. men, including representatives of all the services in tho Great War. Even at this juncture, the cortege that moved off was a lengthy one, and hundreds of citizens lined the pavement of Main street, all silent in their tribute. Shortly before reaching the junction of Main street with the Square, the procession was joined by the Garrison Band, under Lieutenant C. Pike, with Mr S. Wilson as drum-major. A flagged drum signified full military honours. The “Dead March in Saul” was played. There was an unusual spectacle of civic grief as the complete military cortege embarked upon its solemn progress around the Square. Tho whole populace joined in homage to a man of unique greatness, appeared to bo lining tho route, forsaking business premises until the funeral should have passed. Flags were half-masted on business houses, as indeed they had been throughout the day. Again in the vicinity of the Opera House hundreds of citizens waited to view the procession. The hall itself was filled. On the stage were a very large number of beautiful wreaths, the tokens of remembrance from private persons and corporate bodies throughout tho Dominion. The casket, draped in a Union Jack, was placed in the centre of the stage, which was occupied by Air Force members, Union Airways pilots and representatives of the other forces.

A commemorative service of utter beauty and fittingness wa3 conducted by Bev. J. Hubbard, M.A., whoso finely chosen words gave adequate expression to the many supreme qualities of a great man. " The service must have lent comfort and inspiration to all.

The hymn, "Sun of My Soul, Thou Saviour Dear,” was first sung, followed by a prayer. Various Bible extracts were read, commencing with the words: “The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are everlasting arms.” The service concluded with the singing of “Abide with Me.” Tho casket was then borne by the Force pallbearers to the motor hearse, while hundreds of citizens stood bareheaded. All was silence exxcept for the ‘beautiful strains of “Garland of Flowers,” played by the Garrison Band. When the procession started for the cemetery, it passed through a long lane of mourning citizens, including boys and girls of the Technical School, who stood at attention paying their respects to a national hero. Groups of people were assembled at all

the street intersections till tho city boundary was reached. At the cemetery, a firing party from the Boys’ High School cadets, under Sergeant Major A. Holmes, N.Z.P.S., stood with bowed heads and reversed arms as tho coffin was borne to the graveside. Here the service was equally impressive and when deceased had been gently laid to rest, the'silence was broken by the rifle shots of the firing party. Bandsman Hills brought the proceedings to a c.loso with the sounding of the “Last Post,” followed by tho “Beveille.” There was a large attendance of mourners and many beautiful floral tributes were adorning tho side of tho path which led from the hearse to the grave. These wreaths came from all over New Zealand, speaking a silent tribute to a man who had won for himself respect and esteem from one end of the Dominion to the other. Those who acted as pallbearers were: Wing Commander T. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services; Squadron-Leader G. L. Stedman, Instructor to the Wellington Aero Club; Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt, Flying-Officer B. Linklater, Pilot-Officer E. Morphy, Flying-Officer J. Beid, Flying-Officer L. F. Taylor, Flight-Lieutenant E. A. Gibson, FlyingOfficer J. Buckeridge, Flight-Lieutenant I. E. Eawnsley and Flying-Officer G. M. Firth,

“A Most Gallant Gentleman.” IMPRESSIVE SERVICE AT OPERA HOUSE. “ We hro met hero to-day to pay tribute to the memory of one who was New Zealand’s most famous aviator; and who was one of the most gallant gentlemen of any generation, it has been given to few men 10 excel in peace equally as in war, but that came to the lot of Squadron-Leader Malcolm McGregor,” declared Rev. Hubbard. “He was renowned no less in the days of peace than in the dark days of war. We acclaim him for his great deeds of valour in the air during the war. Only recently 1 was reading “War Birds,” and got some knowledge of his courageous daring in carrying out his duties. I was pleased to know that in those death-defying days he was not only a heroic aviator, but was a tower of strength to his comrades in that nerve-shattering experience. An Airman’s Memorial. “We honour him to-day for what ho was able to do for assisting civil aviation in this country. It may fairly be hoped that in the future years Milsoi airport and Union Airways will come to be regarded as memorials to the personal sagacity, enterprise and indomitable courage of ne whom thousands affectionately called “Mac.” We honour him too for the unique feat ho performed with Mr H. *J. Walker, when he won the admiration of all the world. It was stated’ at the time that no feat of flying in the British Empire had excelled their performance. To the nation now his loss is all the greater because his work was approaching its consummation in civil flying, but we may take comfort from the certain knowledge that his inward greatness was no less than his fame as a pilot. He was generous in all ius ways, and was the pattern of a splendid man, who did not surrender himself to renown, but for whom r popularity served but to confirm his own humility. Never Served Himself. “He never served his own ends, but constantly pursued the path of duty, devoting himself to the disinterested service of his country. Now the victor has made his last flight, going to the iiaven where after battle cometh rest. Bis passing was swift and without the pain of farewell; now the great and loving land which gave him birth waits reverently to receive again his dust. His Immortal Self. “We are apt to feel it as a great tragedy that New Zealand has lost so eminent a son at such a time, but his immortal self is but sped upon further triumphs and is aspiring to higher climbs. Death is but a vivid moment in the enterprise of living, and God one by one is calling the noble warriors to his presence. ‘Thy warfare is over, but though death has done its utmost, thy immortality is assured. ’ This country will not forget you and your exploits. Those who here lament you

will remember you still, and will greet you some day beyond the shadows. “Until that day God keep you in his ,wondroiis mercy,” concluded ltev. Hubbard, who then offered up further prayoyrs of gratitude for a great man’s accomplishments, and of supplication for those left in sorrow. A Sympathetic Gesture. A fine tribute was paid to the deceased officer yesterday when the Union Airways passenger liner arrived over Palmerston North on her scheduled flight. The cortege had just moved off from the Opera House, and the airliner, flying low against a threatening sky, paid homage to a pilot who would fly no more. Traffic arrangements were in charge of City Council officers, with a number on point duty. A respectful cessation of' traffic .in front of the funeral was assured by two motor patrol heralds. Inspector : Manly and Constable Miller acting in this capacity. Floral Tributes Wreaths were received from the following organisations:—East Coast Airways, Ltd., president and executive of N.Z. Aero Club, directors of Great Pacific Airways, Feilding Aero Club, directors of the C. M. Ross Co., ground and office staff of Union Airways of N.Z., Ltd., Palmerston North Master Builders’ Association, president and executive of Wellington Aero Club, Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame, Ltd., Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mayor, councillors and citizens of Palmerston North, Wairarapa Aero Club, pilots of Otago Aero Club, president and members of the Hawera Aero Club, directors and staff of Cook Strait Airways, Nelson; Levin Aero Club, chairman and councillors of the Kairanga County Council, N.Z. Air Travels, Hawke’s Bay and West Coast Aero Club, committee and members of the New Plymouth Aero Club, pilots and members of the Western Federated Flying Clubs, the workers at Milson aerodrome, members of the P. and T. radio staff at Dunedin, Christchurch, Blenheim and Palmerston North, No. 2 Squadron New Zealand Air Force, officer commanding and officers of No. 3 Squadron N.Z. Air Force, Director of Air Services and staff, president and members of the Southland Aero Club, Southern Districts North Islam! Model Aero Club, manager and staff of Union Steam Ship Co., Ltd., Dunedin; Manawatu Centenary Air dtaee Committee; officer commanding and officers of Royal N.Z. Air Force Base, Auckland; the officers and members of Marlborough Aero Club, Aero Golf Club, officer commanding and officers of Royal N.Z. Air Force, Wigram aerodrome; instructors and staff of Otago Aero Club, No. 4 Squadron, N.Z. Air Force; Milson Aerodrome Society, pilots and co-pilots of Union Airways of N.Z., Ltd.; manager and staff of Union Steam Ship Co., Ltd., Christchurch; president and members of the P.N. Officers’ Club, officer commanding and officers of No. 1 Army Co-opera-

tion Squadron, directors and management of Union Airways of N.Z., Ltd.; president and members of the'Manawatu Club, president and members ol the , Manawatu Aero Club, president and members of the Manawatu Golf Club, staff of tho Texas Co. (Aust.). Ltd.; and Vacuum Oil Co. Lunch Club’s Sympathy Reference to the great loss experi enced by the community in the passing of Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor was made at tho meeting of the Palmerston North Citizens’ Lunch Club yesterday. Mr G. D. Pattle who presided, said: ‘‘The tragic passing of one whose deeds were writ far on the pages of aviation, will occasion a great loss, not only to the Dominion, but to the British Empire and the world at large. Our sympathy goes out to his wife and family in their great loss.” The resolution was confirmed in the customary manner.