MANY ATTEND FUNERAL OF RAILWAY OFFICER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18830, 6 August 1929, Page 9

MANY ATTEND FUNERAL OF RAILWAY OFFICER.

Mr Cyril James Ashley, a member ol the clerical division at the Addington railway station, while on a week-end visit, with his wife, as the guest of Mr W. Tritt, stationmaster at Arthur s Pass, had a seizure on Saturday evening, and died suddenly. Mr Ashley was the youngest son of the late Mr James Ashley, a wellknown railway officer in Canterbury and Westland, and was thirty-six years of age. He joined the Railway Department in 1911, having been stationed latterly at Heathcote Valley, Alexandra and Addington. The deceased had been under medical supervision as a result of war disabilities. He proceeded uo France as a member of the 14th Reinforcements, and served with the machine gun corps. He ma.ried in 1922 a daughter of the late Mr H. Hopkinson, of Addington. His widow and three young children survive him.

The funeral of the late Mr Ashley took place this morning at the Sydenham Cemetery, the service being conducted by the Rev Canon Bean. A Masonic service was also held by the members of the Christchurch Lodge, while a representative gathering of railway officials testified to the high esteem in which Mr Ashley was held. Many beautiful wreaths were received, also expressions of condolence from other parts of New Zealand.