SCENE AT THE CEMETERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 26

SCENE AT THE CEMETERY.

LONDON, October 11.

The funeral train bearing the, victims from Euston Station also carried a great company of relatives and others, to whom the last sounds as the station receded from view were the strains of “ Rock of Ages,” played by the Royal Air Force Band, w’hile Mr MacDonald, other members of the Cabinet, and foreign representatives, including Captain Eckener, were standing on the platform with bowed heads. Everywhere en route there were signs of mourning. The train was met at Bedford by Lord Ampthill and the Mayor. A great assembly of bombers circled overhead while the coffins were removed and the procession formed.

It is estimated that 75,000 people were on the roadside between the station and the little cemetery at Cardington four miles away, but within sight of the aerodrome, whence the victims set out with high hopes exactly a week ago. The coffins were borne by a fleet of Royal Air Force tenders.

The mourners were grouped round a huge common grave in St. Mary’s churchyard, which was flanked by the blue-clad crew of RlOO, in front of whom stood Mr Bell, the sole representative of RlOl’s survivors, bearing a wreath from comrades-

The scene here will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. One by one the caskets were lowered into the great grave in four rows of twelve each, while the church bells were tolling and aeroplanes were droning overhead, and men and women were sobbing. A simple and beautiful service followed, Church of England, Presbyterian, Methodist and Roman Catholic clergy stepping forward in turn and engaging in prayers. Finally, as the last rays of the setting sun, illumined the scene came dramatic moments, while three volleys were fired and the trumpeters sounded “ The Last Post.” There was a brief silence, and then from a neighbouring field the “ Reveille ” rang out. The men in RlOl had come home.

Then, as flowers were heaped into the grave till it was nearly full, women and even men gave way to grief unrestrained. The wreaths included one from the Anzae fellowship and one from the women of Australia.

The Sunday Dispatch says tlyrt since the wreck of the RlOl the Recruiting Department has' been overworked coping with the rush of recruits for the Air Force.

WREATH FROM NEW ZEALAND. LONDON, October 11. Mr G. W. For.bes sent a wreath to the RlOl victims’ funeral on behalf of New Zealand.