THE LAST RITES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22903, 10 June 1936, Page 7

THE LAST RITES

FUNERAL OF MR O’HARA HUGE CROWD OF MOURNERS (Per United Press Association) THAMES, June 9. The funeral of Mr William O’Hara took place this afternoon, when the remains were conveyed to the Hikutaia Roman Catholic Church from Hamilton. A huge crowd of over 1000 persons attended, over 300 cars forming the cortege to the cemetery at Whampoa, where Mr O'Hara was horn and spent the early years of Ins life. A brief service at the church was conducted by the Rev. Father D. Silk (Matamata), assisted by Fathers Lyons (Thames), O’Meara (Pacroa) and Brodic (Opotiki). Returned soldiers representing the Waikato, Thames, Paeroa, TV Aroha and Cambridge associations formed a guard of honour at the church and at the graveside. The pall-hearers were Messrs D. J. Gate, E. C. Day, E. F. Clayton Greene, R. Sweet, H. C. M. Norris and M. J. Galvin, all of the Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association, and also Messrs T. M'Carroll and W. Gilmore, of the Thames Returned Soldiers’ Association.

The little country cemetery was crowded, and the Rev. Father Silk conducted the service. The body was interred in a grave adjoining that of his father, Mr Patrick O’Hara. The “ Last Post,” sounded by a cadet, concluded a brief service of a simple yet impressive nature.

The children of the Wharcpoa School, which Mr O’Hara attended, were formed up at the gate of tho cemetery, paying silent tribute ns the cortege passed.

The chief mourners included Mr O’Hara’s mother, Mrs Alary O’Hara, a brother-in-law, Mr E. Maclntyre, and other relatives.

Represented at the church and also at the graveside were Squadron-leader L. M. Isitt, representing the Director of Air Services, Flying-olTiccr C. E. Kay, Royal N.Z. Air Force; Major L. Potter, N.Z. Defence Department; and also members of aero clubs, the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and local bodies throughout the whole district. Wreaths practically surrounding the grave included the following:—Members of the Royal Dutch Indies Airways, Western Australian aero clubs, the Auckland, New Plymouth, and Hamilton Aero Clubs, the New Zealand Machine-gun Corps, Returned Soldiers’ Association, local bodies and friends. Many of the wreaths were in the shape of miniature aeroplanes.