AIR HEROES.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1922, Page 5

AIR HEROES.

LONDON’S FINE TRIBUTE. IMPRESSIVE SERVICE. THE IRONY OF FATE, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London* April 20. One of the most beautiful and most impressive services in London for years was that held at St. Clement Danes, in the Strand, in honor of Sir Ross Smith and Lieutenant Bennett. Outside the church a large crowd, opposite Australia House, unable to obtain admission to the church, stood beneath the half-masted Southern Cross, Union Jack and Royal Australian Air Force flags, fluttering against a cloudless sky in glorious sunshine. It was such a day as marked the Brooklands tragedy. The interior of the church was picturesque with its Italian characteristic staffed ceilings. It was in direct contrast to the atmosphere created by the presence in the gallery of the Royal Air Force band, which provided several moving selections before the service.

Those entering the church were struck by the bells pealing joy, alternating with the muffled tones of sorrow’. This note was preserved throughout the service, in which the sombre voice of the organ was interspersed with the full band’s triumphant selections, ranging from Mendelssohn’s “Pilgrim’s March*’ and Handel’s “Largo” to Bach’s prelude cnoral fugue. The fact that the band played the majority of the hymns provided the dominant effect of this memorial service.

After the lesson, had been road by the Rev. Henry Howard, of South Australia, the address was delivered by the Rev. Air. Viener, Chaplain-General of the Royal Air Force, who maintained the appropriate note of exaltation overshadowing sorrow. Chaplain-General Viener paid a striking tribute to the dead intrepid airmen, who possessed all the characteristics of what successful flying men should be. He alluded to their enterprise, their attention to detail, and the priceless gift of cheeriness. Day after day they faced problems the solution of which were common to both. We dearly loved such sportsmen. Only yesterday the whole civilised world rang with the names of these splendid men and their companions, fortunately preserved for us. They met dangers foreseen and unforeseen until the last on the way to their native land. It was a grand achievement marked by those qualities which built up Empire and brought success in the gigantic world struggle. Chaplain-General Viener referred to the ironv of fate that such airmen were killed on a trial flight after emerging from the hardships of war and the terrible experiences of their historic Hight. Our spirit seemed to revolt at such happenings. The answer lay in the fact that God wanted them. We should thank God for the t gift of these splendid men. who were now engaged in a wider sphere of usefulness than was possible here. The service included the. Masonic prayer, the “Last Post, the Dead March” in Saul, and the “Hallelujah Chorus,” rendered by the band. The congregation included representatives of Britain’s air, army and navy services. The Prince of Wales was represented by General Trotter. The American, Japanese, and Belgian Embassies, and »ickers, were represented, also the relatives of Lieutenant Bennett. The Pall Mall Gazette says: ‘Are the English cursed with lack of imagination? One of the greatest of Britain’s sons lies dead in her capital. Sir Ross Smith must be buried in the Abbey with others of our race who have achieved great deeds.”