TWO MILITARY FUNERALS

Southland Times, Issue 24002, 18 December 1939, Page 8

TWO MILITARY FUNERALS

Victims Of Railway Tragedy IMPRESSIVE PARADE IN INVERCARGILL LARGE ATTENDANCE AT OTAUTAU The two victims of the railway tragedy at Edendale on Thursday night, Lance-Corporal James Thomas Nelson and Private George Joseph Sheedy, were buried yesterday with military honours. Lance-Corporal Nelson was buried at the Eastern Cemetery, Invercargill, and Private Sheedy at Otautau. Lance-Corporal Nelson’s funeral was one of the most impressive seen in the city for many years. The esteem in which he was held and the widespread sympathy were evident from the hundreds of cars which attended and which kept five traffic officers busy. A heavy shower of rain fell as the parade was forming at the cemetery but the sky cleared just before the ceremony at the graveside. A service was held at St. Andrew s Church, South Invercargill, and was conducted .by the Rev. E. Gardiner. About 60 members of the special force at present on final leave formed a guard of honour when the cortege entered and later left the church. The funeral left the church a little before 3.30 p.m. for the Eastern Cemetery. At almost every intersection along the route, in both Elies road and Tay street, motor-cars were waiting to join the large procession of vehicles, and 'when properly formed the funeral included several hundred cars. PARADE AT CEMETERY Territorials ’ and returned soldiers travelled to the cemetery by ear and the parade was formed at the gates. The band of the Ist Battalion, Southland Regiment, headed the parade, which was under the command of Major H. C. Mackenzie, M.C., Area Officer, and played the “Dead March In Saul” as the funeral proceeded slowly to the graveside. Behind the band came six bearers, members of the special force, carrying the coffin which was draped with the Union Jack. The relations followed, and behind them were Colonel E. Selby, M.C., V.D., Officer Commanding the Southland Regiment, Major Mackenzie and Captain A. R. Cockerell, D. 5.0,, N.Z.S.C., of the special military force. About 100 returned soldiers, the members of the special force and about 60 territorials formed the remainder of the parade. Officers of the special force and of the Southland Regiment were also on parade. The service at the graveside was also conducted by Mr Gardiner. Territorials formed a square guard and the detachment of the special force and the returned soldiers stood at attention inside the square. Six buglers from the band sounded “Last Post” and The Rouse.” The Railways Department was represented by the District Traffic Manager (Mr F. J. Raines), the Chief Traffic Clerk (Mr F. G. Clark) and the business agent (Mr R. Watkins). There was an attendance of many hundreds of sympathizers and sporting colleagues. A large number of wreaths was carried by a special motor-truck. To accommodate some of the motorvehicles and to prevent congestion an area of land on the northern side of East road was set aside for parking. Three traffic inspectors controlled the traffic, which was particularly dense, and they were assisted by two patrol officers of the Automobile Association (Southland). FUNERAL AT OTAUTAU More than 100 cars, containing residents from all parts of the Wallace County, attended the funeral of Private Sheedy at Otautau, and the cortege was one of the largest ever seen in the town. A special service was held in the Catholic Church and at the end of it Mrs T. J. O’Neill, the organist, played the “Dead March In Saul.” The coffin was draped with the Union Jack and when it left the church members of the special force, under the command of Captain J. K. Robbie, besides Territorials, members of the mounted rifle platoon and returned soldiers, formed a guard of honour. At the cemetery the units formed a double line from the gate to the graveside. Members of the special force acted as bearers. After the service Bugler E. Hunter sounded “Last Post” and “Reyeille.” The Rev. Father Fenelon conducted the service at the church and at the graveside.