FUNERAL OF PRIVATE STAFFORD

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13825, 21 July 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

FUNERAL OF PRIVATE STAFFORD

AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY

The remains of the late Private Hugh Stafford, who ,died at the Wellington Hospital, from broncho-pneu-monia supervening on measles contracted at Trentham Training Camp, vero interred at the Nelson Cemetery on Saturday afternoon with full military honours. There was a splendid muster of Territorial Cadets (including tho College Cadets), members of the National Reserve (infantry and ambulance "sections") and Nelson Defence Rifle Club to pay their last tribute of respect to their departed comrade, and crowds lined the route of the procession. The trcops assembled at tm? Drillshed and marched to All Saints r Church, where they were drawn up in two line* extending from Hardy street to the church gates. The coffin, which had been brought from .Wellington b>the Pateena, was lying in the chance! of the church, draped with the. Umon Jack, aud covered with many floral tributes. The first portion of the funeral service took nlace in the presence bf the relatives of the deceased, the officers of the different units, t representatives of the Einnire Defence Fund, the Sick and Wouncfed Soldiers' Fund, tho Nelson Motor. Cycle Club, and the general public. The 39th Psalm having been recited by the vicar (Rev. W. S. Lucas), the hymn, ''For Ever with the Lord/ was sung, alter which the Bishop of Nelson (Dr. Sadlier) read from the 15th chapter of the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. This being concluded, the Dead March in "Saul," was played by the organist as the coffin Avas carried out of the church by Territorial t pall-bearers and placed on a gun carriage. On the coffin were the deceased soldier's hat and .accoutrements, the- Union Jack.. a-ntl the "floral- tributes. . -Preceded -by ihe firing party with arms reversed, the gun carriage was slowly drawn through the linee of troops to Hardy street, where the Band commenced splaying, tho beautiful funeral march,.'' The GarlnncT1 of Flowers. 5?! The troops fell in behind,, the guii carriage, and were foJloweiLby the mourning carriages and" a' number of private vehicles and motor cars. The shops wore closed, and as the cortege, passed along Hardy, Trafalgar. Bridge, and Milton streets to the Wakapuaka road, tlio scene was most impressive,, and many people in Uie crowdfe alonsr the route were deeply moved, especially when.the Band struck up the solemn s'ti-ains of tlie Dead 'March in "Saul." On reaching the cemetery the burial service1 of the Church of England was concluded by the Rev. W. S. Lucas., three rounds were fired across the crave by.the firing party, and the Last Posi.W9,s sounded. The large attendance of Territorials, Cadets, reservists. I artd general public was but a fitting tribute to one who had given his life for ; his country. Among-the -floral tributes Received were" >wrea.ths] ,<from the' residents of Mripua'and Ruby Bay anij'the Nelson District Motcr. vCycle