FUNERAL OF AIR FORCE MEMBER

Southland Times, Issue 23818, 16 May 1939, Page 6

FUNERAL OF AIR FORCE MEMBER

MILITARY HONOURS IMPRESSIVE SERVICE AT BLUFF Residents of Bluff and Invercargill and members of the Military Forces attended the funeral of Leading Aircraftsman George Henry West, who lost his life in the aeroplane disaster at Wigram last week, at Bluff yesterday. The military funeral was one of the biggest and most impressive seen in Bluff in recent years and a procession of about 50 cars extended over a long distance behind the hearse. Carried by six pall-bearers, the coffin, draped in the Union Jack, was carried from the house between two lines of cadets from the Southland Technical College. Because of heavy rain, which fell continuously, the military units did not inarch to the cemetery, but travelled in cars. The pall-bearers at the house were Messrs A. Austin, R. Spencer, E. Rita, W. West, M. West, and A. West. Members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force were pall-bearers at the graveside. They were Corporals J. Claydon, and D. Hurley and Leading Aircraftsmen, R. Jones. J. Macintosh, R. Seddon and F. Rutherford. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. C. Noel Luker, with the cadets and members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in' attendance. “Last Post” and “Reveille” were sounded by Bandsman J. Berryman', of Invercargill. The Air Force was represented by 10 airmen, four of whom travelled to Invercargill from Wigram by aeroplane. With this group was Flight Lieutenant R. J; Cohen, representing the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) and the Chief of the Air Staff (Group Captain H. W. L.' Saunders). Six others, friends of Leading Aircraftsman West, escorted the body from Christchurch. Others in attendance were Mr J. H. Reed, chairman of the Board of Managers of the Southland Technical College—where Leading Aircraftsman West received his secondary education —Mr C. A. Stewart, principal of the college, Major J. Stobo, officer commanding the cadet company, to which Leading Aircraftsman West had belonged, Captain J. Hill, Mr L. D. Macvicker, Lieutenant W. C. Cleine and Warrant Officer W. Berryman, all of the> college. The Defence Department was represented by Sergeant-Major H. Sutton. fnere was a big attendance of Bluff citizens, including the Mayor (Mr John Cameron) and the town clerk (Mr H. A. Ferguson).' On Sunday evening a special service was held in the Bluff Anglican Church. The preacher was the Rev. C. N. Luker