AIR FORCE FUNERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 14

AIR FORCE FUNERAL

FLYING-OFFICER OWEN CEREMONY AT WAIKUMETE An impressive last tribute was paid yesterday afternoon by men of the Royal New Zealand Air Force to the late Flying-Officer Graham MacKellar Owen, a young Auckland member of the No. 1 (Army Co-operation) Squadron of the New Zealand Territorial Air Force, who was killed when his Bristol Fighter crashed at machine-gun practice on the shore of Lake Ellesmere, near Christchurch, on Tuesday, and who was accorded an Air Force funeral. A service was conducted yesterday afternoon at St. Marks' Church, Remuera, by the Rev. P. Houghton. There was a large congregation, and among those who attended were Lieutenant H. G. Wooller, representing the Northern Command, Major H. C. Glendining, representing the Officers' Club, Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan, instructor at the Auckland Aero Club, and Mr. Spencer R. Mason, president of the club. Members of the No. 1 (Army Co-operation)' Squadron were present, including Captain J. Garfield Stewart, medical officer of the squadron. The pall-bearers were SquadronLeader L. Si. Isitt, officer dommanding the Hobsonville Air Base, FlightLieutenant M. W. Buckley, FlyingOfficer C. E. Kay, Flying-Officer R. Cohen, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Squadron-Leader J. Seabrook and Flight-Lieutenant W. H. Lett, of the New Zealand Air Force Reserve. The coffin was swathed in a Union Jack. A long cortege proceeded to the Waikumetc Crematorium, where a detachment was stationed from the Hobsonville Air Base. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. Houghton, accompanied by the Rev. H. K. Vickery, naval chaplain. At the conclusion three volleys were fired from the rifles of the Air Force detachment. Sunlight glinted on a bugle as the sounding of the Last Post followed the echo of tho shots, and then the swelling notes of the Reveille rang loud and clear as an aeroplane zoomed overhead.