Military Honours At Funeral Of Lieut. V. Wilson

Northern Advocate, 16 September 1941, Page 4

Military Honours At Funeral Of Lieut. V. Wilson

Tribute to the memory of the late Lieutenant Mervyn Vance Wilson, who died from injuries sustained when a member of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in England, was paid by a large gathering of mourners at the Maunu Cemetery, where the funeral took place yesterday. It was the first military funeral to be held m Northland in respect of a soldier returned from the present war, and proceedings were of a most impressive nature. A short service was conducted at the residence of Colonel and Mrs. J. N. McCarroll, following which a procession of over 100 cars followed the cortege to Maunu Cemetery. Draped with the Union Jack, the casket was bowered deep with beautiful floral tributes and bore upon it the cap and belt of the deceased officer. Officer Pall-bearers The pall-bearers were six officers - Captains J. A. Cresswell (North Auckland Regiment) and C. H. Finlayson (Independent Mounted Rifles) and Lieutenants P. Holway (North Auckland Mounted Rifles), A. Flux and L. Booth (National Military Reserve) and E. Thomson (Independent Mounted Rifles). Representing the Area Officer, who was absent from the district, was the commander of the Kensington military camp (Major A. A. McLauchlan), while Colonel W. R. Lang and Colonel H. C. Hemphill were .also in attendance. Among those in uniform was Lieutenant S. Hirst, who has returned from the Middle East on special duties as instructor, and a number of men of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. Particularly fitting was the presence of a petty officer and several ratings from the naval contingent at piesent visiting their home station. Awaiting at the entrance to the cemetery was a firing party from territorials m training at Kensington Park camp and in charge of Sergeant Geard. After the casket had passed between the ranks, the guard marched to its firing position. Tribute at Graveside Speaking at the graveside the Rev. James lngs paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of the la*e Lieutenant Wilson —to his high moral character, and to his eagerness to play his part in the hour of our Empire’s need. He had shown courage both in service and in suffering. “If.” said Mr. Ings, speaking with considerable emotion, “my words are few it is only' because, in the words of the late Lord Tennyson, my heart is too full for sound and form. “Such a man can ill be spared. The community, and indeed the whole Dominion, is the poorer for his passing. “He has left behind him a worthy name and an honourable record. Like the Master, Who Himself died at the same age, he gave his life in the service of others.” Life of Service On behalf of the very large and representative gathering—a far finer tribute t.ian anything that could be expressed by words—he desired to assure the widow, her parents (Colonel and Mis. McCarroll), the deceased’s mother (Mrs. E. M. Wilson) and all the sorrowing circle of relatives and friends that the entire community was with thorn in sincere sympathy. "I cannot refrain,' said Mr. Ings, “from including the fatherless child, now unconscious of her irreparable loss, and trust some day she may learn how greatly her father was appreciated and loved.’’

Finally, Mr. Ings reminded the sorrowing circle that they could cherish the memory of the years their loved one was with them and, like Job of old, say not only that “the Lord hath taken away,” but also that “Ihe Lord gave.” “Think often,” said Mr. Ings, “of that chivalrous life of service and it will help to assuage your overwhelming sense of loss, a loss in which you are assured the entire community is with you.” Volleys Fired At the termination of the religious service, the firing party discharged three volleys, fixed bayonets and presented arms. While Bugler T. W. Dobsen sounded the Last Post and Reveille all officers present were at the salute. Upon the call of the president of the Whangarei branch (Mr. C. Malloy), 70 returned soldiers filed past the grave, each dropping a poppy. Many representatives of the early families in Whangarei and Middle North districts were present to pay their last respects to one who was himself descended from the pioneers.