OLD SOLDIERS REST TOGETHER

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1948, Page 2

OLD SOLDIERS REST TOGETHER

Yesterday two veterans of the Boer War were buried side by side at the Soldiers’ Lawn Cemetery, Maunu. The two old soldiers were Charles William Swanburg and Stephen Bower/.

At the conclusion of the service in W. E. Newberry and Sons’ chapel at 2 p.m., the two caskets, over which were draped a Union Jack were put into the hearse together by the returned servicemen pallbearers. Following the hearse was an Army vehicle loaded with wreaths and flowers, behind which again walked the men of the RSA. When the funeral procession reached the cemetery, about 40 cars were' in procession.

Two graves, lined with silver fern and about sfl apart, broke the green perspective of the soldiers’ resting place. Both caskets were lowered into the earth together, and the committal pronounced over them by the Rev. E. F. Sherburd. AT THE GRAVESIDE

At the graveside Mr. F. C. Eyles, president of the Whangarei RSA, paid brief tribute to the veterans. He mentioned the frequent visits to disabled servicemen at the Whangarei Hospital by Mr Swanbcrg, and the work done by Mr Bowers when the Servicemen’s Hut was in operation during the war. Mr G. Halc-s then conducted a short sendee on behalf of the RAOE. While ex-soldiers stood to attention, Mr J. Dobson sounded Reveille and the Last Post.

The flag, which had been lowered when the caskets were carried to the graves, was raised and fluttered gently over the two spldiers who had served under it nearly half a century ago. While 200 watched, men of the RSA filed slowly past the open graves and dropped Flanders poppies on to the caskets. The last tribute had been paid.