POPPIES ON THE ROADWAY.

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

POPPIES ON THE ROADWAY.

MANY TOUCHING SCENES. ■- RUGBY, October 7. While the bodies were being taken from Beauvais to Boulogne, where thev were placed on board the British destroyers Tempest and Tribune, moving tributes were paid to the dead airmen At Beauvais the buildings were draped with crepe, and all the shops in the town

were closed, while aeroplanes circled overhead and a French battery fired a salute of 101 guns. .The French Prime Minister (M. Tardieu), the Air Minister (M. LaurentEynac), and many other distinguished Frenchmen followed the procession in company with the British Ambassador (Lord Tyrrell), the Secretary for India (Captain Wedgwood Benn). the Under secretary for Air (Mr F. Montague), Sir John Salmond (Chief of the Air Staff), and numerous other British officials and mourners, including three of the survivors. There were present also the Mayor of Beauvais and a deputation of citizens from the town which provided so much practical help. One wreath on the gun carriages came from “ the mothers of Beauvais to the sorrowing mothers of Britain." Others were from French and British services near the station. Flanders poppies had been strewn by the children on the roadway. The coffins were removed to a special train, which drew out as the guns thundered and the bands played mournful music. A salvo of guns was fired, nd the French and British National Anthems were played. When the special train reached Boulogne in the presence of a great silent crowd, and of the civil and military authorities, the coffins were carried to the waiting British destroyers. At Dover, and later at Victoria station, crowds began silen’’ assemble.