SHROUDED HEARSE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21988, 24 June 1933, Page 16

SHROUDED HEARSE

NOTED JUDGE’S FUNERAL MR JUSTICE M'CARDIE. Mr Justice M'Cardic, who committed suicide while in a state of depression, following illness, was' buried in the family vault at Witton cemetery Birmingham, with the utmost simplicity, on May 4. The time and place of the funeral had been kept secret, and only members of the family and a few friends were present. T?he coffin, brought from London by road on May 3, had lain during the night in the Edgbaston garage, formerly a clubroom of the Bath Gymnastic Association, of which Sir Henry M'Cardie was once honorary secretary. It was taken to the cemetery in the morning in a horse-drawn hearse with drawn blinds, followed by one funeral carriage carrying the bearers. On top of the hearse were about a dozen wreaths. As the simple cortege passed along the three miles of streets to the cemetery many people stopped and raised their hats, but not one knew that the hidden coffin contained the body of one of England’s best-known judges. The press of traffic halted the hearse for a few moments outside the law courts. The gates were closed behind the hearse, to be opened a few minutes later to admit the few mourners, who arrived by car. A short private service in the Nonconformist chapel was conducted by the Rev. W, S. Houghton, a former minister of Francis Road Congregational Church, Edgbaston, which Sir Henry attended as a boy. Sixteen people—five of them women—were present, including Miss Elmo M'Cardic (sister), Dr J. W. M'Cardic (brother), Mr and Mrs W. J. Bindley (sister and brother-in-law), and Mr P. H. M'Caun, Sir Henry’s personal clerk. So far as could be ascertained there was nobody present from Hunstanton, where Mr Justice M'Cardie was a frequent visitor. After a brief service at the graveside the coffiin was lowered into the vault where lay the bodies of Sir Henry’s father and mother. The vault was last opened 30 years ago. The few floral tributes included a bunch of sweet peas, their stems wrapped in silver paper, with the inscription : “ In remembrance of the kindness and courtesy shown to all who served him,” and an anchor of blue forget-me-nots, addressed: To our beloved judge, from Nellie,” and the words: There is no fireside, howso’er defended, But has one vacant chair. A wreath from the Birmingham and Edgbaston Debating Society bore the words: “In honoured memory of a most distinguished member,” and a bunch of tulips and iris was inscribed: “With ever loving thought for Uncle Harry, from Ruth and Ronald.”