THE LAST RITES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18592, 28 June 1922, Page 5

THE LAST RITES

BURIAL OF SIR H. WILSON

AN -IMPOSING PAGEANTRY

SIMPLE, IMPRESSIVE SERVICE.

PATHETIC SCENES. Press Association —By Telegraph—Oopyrigut. LONDON, June 25. Though it was shorn of much of its pageantry owing to rain, there was am imposing military display at lield-Mar shal Wilson’s funeral. The brilliant umlorms of the great military and naval dignitaries were covered by cloaks and mackintoshes. , The funeral proceeded from Eaton place to the Embankment, and from thence to St. Paul’s. The route was densely escorted by six battalions of Guards and eight squadrons ol the Household Cavalry, left fair Henry Wilson’s residence, and with muffled drums the combined bauds (Grenadiers, Coldstream, Scots, and Welsh G uards | rolled the preliminary to Chopins Funeral March.” A gun carriage bore the coffin, draped with the Union Jack and surmounted by Sir Henry Wilsons plumed hat and sword. Uu either side of the gun carnage were the pall-bearers. These included hieldMarshals Grenfell, Methuen, Earl of Ypres (Lord French), Earl Haig, and Sir William' Robertson Bart., Earl Beatty and Air-Marshal Sir Hugh Trenchard, Bart. Then followed Sir Henry Wilsons grey charger. The Duke erf Connaught (representing the King) walked with Marshal Foch. They were followed by of the War Office, the Army Council, foreign dignitaries, and th© High Commissioners. The body was laid to rest in the crypt of the Cathedral, between the tombs of Earl Roberts and Viscount Wolseley. Th© Cathedral was crowded long before the procession arrived. All the members of the Cabinet were present. . . , The Guards' took a position around the entrances to St. Paul’s, standing with arms reversed. . The service within was simple and impressive, The musical portion included the 23rd Psahn, Stanford’s anthem “I Heard a Voice From Heaven,” and Goss’s “If We Believe Jesus Died,” also the hymn “0 God, Our Help in Ages Past. The service was conducted by Canon Alexander, the Bishop of London (Dr Ingram) assisting. The congregation remained standing; while the “Dead March was played. Then the “Last Post and the “Reveille” were sounded. While the coffin was being lowered there was an affecting scene. Women, and even soldiers, wept. After the service Lady Wilson, leaning on Marshal Foch’s arm, left the cathedral. —A, and N.Z. Cable.

THE INQUEST

EVIDENCE OF WITNESSES,

VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER.

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

LONDON, June 26. The inquest in regard to Sir Henry Wilson’s death was held at the Westminster Coroner’s Court. > Major Wilson, a brother of Sir Henry, gave evidence that the deceased had received police protection. He did not know when it was withdrawn. The taxi-driver (name withheld) stated that he drove Sir Henry Wilson home. On reaching Eaton place Sir Henry Wilson walked towards the door, and witness started to drive off, when he heard a loud bang. He looked round, thinking the noise was from a , tyre bursting, and he saw Sir Henry Wilson stepping on to the kerb. “I saw a man,” continued the witness, ‘‘with a revolver in his right hand standing in the road three yards away from Sir Henry Wilson. I saw the man fire a second and third shot quickly, and Sir Henry Wilson fell face downwards on to the pavement. I did not see the v second man. I drove off. I did not see Sir Henry Wilson draw his sword.” /> A servant employed at Sir Henry Wilson’s house gave evidence that, after the shooting, she spoke to Sir Henry Wilson, who tried to reply; but he could not speak. A street labourer stated that Sir Henry Wilson did not appear to hear the first report. After the second shot Sir Henry Wilson bent down to avoid further shots. Witness saw a big man three yards on Sir Henry Wilson’s right side, and a smaller man four yards on his left side. He heard numerous reports, as though noth men were firing. Sir Henry Wilson was shot at several times while standing. He doubled up in front of the door. Witness then related the chase after ( the murderers. Mr Macdoimell, the accused’s solicitor, remarked that, acting on advice, the accused were not attending the court to-day. Other evidence was given on the lines of the cabled reports. * The verdict returned was of wilful murder against Connolly and O’Brien, who were committed for trial. —A. and N.Z. Cable. EIGHT BULLETS IN VICTIM'S BODY. LONDON, June 26. The inquest on Sir Henry Wilson revealed the fact that the assassins were armed -with service revolvers. Sir Henry Wilson 'had eight bullet wounds in his body. The coroner paid a tribute to the in- - spiring bravery of the law-abiding Englishmen who, though they were unarmed, chased the murderers.—Reuter. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Shortt (Home Secretary) said that the men who were accused of Sir Henry Wilson’s murder were Londoners. There was no evidence to show that they had ever been in Ireland in their lives.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

NO EVIDENCE OF ORGANISED PLOT. LONDON, June 26. (Received June 27, at 8.55 p.m.) Mr Chamberlain, replying to a question in the Commons, said his information regarding the revolvers with which Sir Henry Wilson was murdered led to the supposition that they did not form part of the arms handed over to the Provisional Government, but the records were being searched. Mr E. Shortt stated that the raids which followed the assassination showed that there was nothing revealing the existence of an organised plot to use firearms or bombs against any particular persons. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

MEMORIAL SERVICE IN BELFAST.

SHIPYARD WORKERS’ TRIBUTE. LONDON, June 26. (Received June 27, at 8.55 p.m.) Sir James Craig and. members of the Northern Government attended a memorial service in the Belfast Cathedral simultaneously with the St. Paul’s service.— A. and N.Z. Cable. Twenty thousand shipyard workers in Belfast ceased work at noon as a tribute to Sir Henry Wilson. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

MARSHAL LOCH’S WREATH

FOREIGN MINISTERS’ CONDOLENCES.

MURDER DENOUNCED BY LABOUR PARTY.

LONDON, June 26. (Received June 27, at 9.40 p.m.) t Marshal Foch's wreath for Sir Henry Wilson ■was inscribed “For his best friend.” Telegrams of condolence were received from the Italian and Slovakian Ministers of War, and from the chief of' the Japanese general staff. Mr E. Shortt, replying to a question, said it was incorrect to say that any order was given for the discontinuance of police protection for Sir Henry Wilson. A special officer was placed at the War Office’s disposal for the protection of the chief of the general staff. When Sir Henry Wilson vacated that position the police protection was discontinued. The Executive of the Labour Party adopted a resolution expressing abhorrence at Sir Henry Wilson’s assassination, and deploring the policy of violence in Ireland against which British Labour had always protested. It also congratulated Ireland’s workers on the success achieved at the elections. Lady Wilson has issued the following statement:—“l hope in time to thank the thousands of kind friends throughout the world for the sympathy which I feel around me, but still more to thank them for their wonderfvd tribute to my beloved husband, who died for the Empire he loved so well.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.

LAST CONVERSATION. LONDON, June 26. (Received, June 27, at 10.30 p.m.) Mr Ronald’ M’Neill, in the House of Commons, narrated his last conversation with Sir Henry Wilson 24 hours before his death. Sir Henry Wilson was about to visit Glasgow, and Air M’Neill urged him to exercise care, saying: “You may bo shot at there.” Sir Henry Wilson replied: “Well, they may miss me.” Mr M’Neill: “Yes, but they may hit you.” Sir Henry Wilson, in his whimsical way, replied: “Yes, they may; but it is much nicer to be shot at by them than to shake hands with them.” —A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE SECRET SERVICE.

DEFENDED BY HOME SECRETARY.,

, LONDON, June 26. (Received June 27, at 10.30 p.m.) Mr Shortt defended the secret service, which ho declared was more efficient than a year ago. The secret service had advised that robberies of arms and incendiarism might be effected, but it was hoped that the capture of the gang which had been caught would end this. The Government had been advised that there would be no organised murder in Britain. He warmly repudiated the charge that he ignored information that Sir Henry Wilson was endangered. The Home Office had received no such information.—A. and N.Z. Cable.