MILITARY FUNERALS

Otago Witness, Issue 3227, 19 January 1916, Page 52

MILITARY FUNERALS

Two troopers who died in the Duneclin Hospital last week were buried with military honours on the 11th. The first was that of Private William John Willis, which lett the Hospital at half-past 2 for the Northern Cemetery. The coffin was carried on a gun carriage, provided by the Central Battery, and in it were nlaoed several pretty wreaths, one of which was forwarded by the members of the Anzac Olub. The firing party consisted of returned troopers, under Sergeant-major Tustain, and in tho cortege was a batch of soldiers who recently came back from the front, in charge of Sergeant Banwell. Lieutenant Keligher represented the Defence Department. Private Leslie Richard Shannon, whose funeral took place at Duncdin on January 11, was 30 years of age. He was a member of the Second Reinforcements, joining at Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. Ho was a son of Denis and Mary Shannon, of Wcstbury, Tasmania, and took part in the operations at Gallipoli until August 8, when he was invalided back to New Zealand on the hospital ship Willochra. His death occurred at the Duncdin Hospital on January 9. Owing to Private Shannon's relatives all residing in Tasmania it was impossible for them to attend the funeral. The only relative present was his sister (Mrs J. Riva), who arrived at Dunedin a week before her brother died DEATH OF HORACE BRAITHWAITE. The announcement of the death of Horace Algernon Braithwaite, fourth son of Mr Joseph Braithwaite, of this city, will be received with universal regret. Private Braithwaite, who was 28 years of age, served his King and country, and made the supreme sacrifice; passing away at the Dunedin Hospital at 7.00 on Saturday morning. He received his education at the Arthur Street School, and as a lad selected country life, and was engaged in farming operations in the Otautau district when he heard of the intention of two of his brothers to proceed to the front with the Main Expeditionary Force. Ho at once resolved to join, and attached himself to the Eighth (Southland) Company of the Otago Infantry Battalion, and the three brothers left New Zealand together. Egypt was the first place of disembarkation, and there Horace came quickly into hostilities with the Turks. He afterwards proceeded with his regiment to Gallipoli, and on April 27 of last year, three days after tho famous landing, volunteers were called to get rid of some snipers who were proving very troublesome, and doing serious mischief. Horace and two other men were selected, and of the three one was killed outright, the other two being wounded. A bullet furrowed the top of young Braithwaite's skull, and his condition was always considered serious, if not positively dangerous. He, however, rallied wonderfully, under tlie circumstances, and there seemed some hope that he might eventually pull through. He was ablo to return to Dunedin by the Willochra, and was taken to tho Hospital for treatment. He maintained a wonderful cheerfulness during his sufferings, and exhibited the greatest fortitude, and even spoke of the time when ho would bo able to return to the front. Three weeks ago, however, the symptoms became worse, and his condition so grave that finally an operation was regarded as unavoidable. The operation was performed, and he gradually sank, expiring, as previously stated, on Saturday morning. His father Air Joseph Braithwaite, is one of the best known men in the city, and highly respected and esteemed, and the sympathy of tho entire community will go out to him and Mrs Braithwaite over the great loss they have sustained, and the sorrow in which thoy are plunged. Tho funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, and tho crowd of people that gathered about St. Peter's Church, Cavorsham, from which tho procession started for tho place of interment at tho Southern Cemetery, showed how deeply the community was moved by tho sad occurrence. Services ex-

tending over half an hour were conducted in the church by the Rev. J. L. Mortimer, the church being filled to its utmost capacity. A military funeral was accorded tin- deceased, the gun carriage bearing the coffin on which were numerous wreaths, and deceased soldier's equipment, being preceded by the Fourth Regimental Band and the St. Kilda Band. The firing party consisted of 12 or 14 returned soldiers, who marched with arms reversed on either side of the gun carriage; Captain Fleming, as representing the Defence Department, walking in the rear. Then followed mourning coaches for the accommodation of the bereaved relatives, and these were succeeded by a number of carriages and motor cars containing the Mayor of Dunedin, city councillors, members of the Otago Harbour Board, and many well-known citizens. The following of the general public was a large one, and the Salvation Army was very strongly represented. It ought to be mentioned that, apart from the firing party, there were present somo 70 other men who had seen active service. At the grave the service for the dead was conducted by the Rev. Mr Mortimer. The usual salvos were fired, and the sounding of " The Last Post " terminated a sad but impressive occasion. The flag on the Town Hall was at halfmast yesterday as a mark of respect to the deceased, whose father is an ex-mayor of Dunedin. m MEMORIAM. As a tribute to the memory of the late Lieutenant-colonel Stewart, who had for 12 years represented the Crookston Riding, the chair which he usually occupied at the Tuapeka County Council waa draped at Friday's meeting (says the Times). Affixed to the back of the chair was a card showing the Union Jack end the New Zealand flag, and bearing the following inscription:—"ln memoriam. Lieutenant-colonel George H. Stewart, who died the death of a soldier hero at Mudros, Lemnos Island, on November 20, 1915. ' Greater love hath no man than this, that he layeth down his life for his friends.' 'Life every man holds dear, but the brave man holds honour far more precious—dearer thm life.' " Before taking up the business of the council, the chairman said he had a very sorrowful duty to perform —viz., to refer to the death of Lieutenant-colonel Stewart, who, for the past 12 years, had represented Crookston Riding in the council. He moved : " That the council tender its heartfelt sympathy and condolence to the wife and relatives of the late Lieutenant-colonel Stewart, and deeply deplores the sad and irreparable loss of so brave and gallant a soldier and worthy citizen. He gave his life for the noble cause of Empire and suffering humanity, while his patriotic action as a soldier will help to keep the old flag flying until final victory is achieved. Truly may it be said: 'He has gone, but will never be forgotten.' " The motion was carried by the members standing in silence for a few moments. The chairman, Crs Cotton, Simpson, M'Lcnnan, MTnerney, Rose, M'Donald, and Sim, and Messrs Edie (engineer) and Woods (clerk), spoke in eulogistic terms of the many admirable qualities of the deceas?d as a councillor, as a citizen, and as a soldier. A motion of sympathy was also passed to Mr and Mrs Sharpe, Rongahere, in connection with tho death of their two t-ons —one at the front and the other while undergoing training for active service.