DEATH OF CORPORAL PHILLIPS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16577, 28 December 1915, Page 10

DEATH OF CORPORAL PHILLIPS.

MILITARY FUNERAL AT WALTON. {Fbom \Odb Own Cobrespondent.) LONDON, October 22. The funeral of Corporal Thomas Walwith PhJlips. of the Auckland Mounted Rifles, who passed away at the New Zealand Hospital at Walton-on-Thames on Monday, October 18, took place yesterday at Walton Cemetery with full military honours. Corporal Phillips was only 20 years of age, and is the first New Zealander to pass away at the hospital. He; came Home on the hospital ship Panama, and was admitted to Walton on September 21. He was then in a precarious condition, having no fewer than 23 shrapnel wounds in his body, and, in spite of the care and attention bestowed on him, complications set in, and he gradually grew worse, death resulting as already stated on Monday. The funeral was conducted by the Wesley an minister. The body was carried from the hospital to the Wesleyan Church on a gun carriage, the coffin being, covered with the New Zealand flag, . ana the bearing party was composed of New Zealand soldiers from the hospital. Major Bernard Myers and Mr Norman Dalston attended the service on behalf of the hospital staff, and the gun carriage was followed by practically every wounded New Zealander in the hospital, some being pushed in invalid chairs and others limping on crutches. After the 6hort service at the church the cortege slowly wended its way through the streets of Walton to the cemetery, where over the grave the Essex Yeomanry fired a volley and two trumpeters sounded "The Last Post."

The only incident to mar the occasion, was the refusal of the vicar to allow the passing bell to be tolled, the reason given being that the corporal was not a member of the Church of England. Some beautiful wreath? were sent by the High Commissioner, the Visiting Committee of the New Zealand War Contingent Association, and his comrades at the hospital. During the last few days there have been several other deaths among the New Zealand wounded in different parts of England. Private G. Hovell, of the Maori Contingent, passed away in King George's Hospital, and will be buried at Nunhead Cemetery. Trooper Herbert has been interred at the Southern Cemetery, Manchester, and Private Donald 'Macßae, who died of wounds at the_ Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, was buried at Netley Cemetery this afternoon. Private Raymond W. Cresswell, 12th Nelson Battalion, who passed away from enteric, also at Netley. has likewise been buried in the cemetery there. Trooper James Hughes, who died at Paignton, South Devon, on Tuesday, was buried at Paignton yesterday afternoon.