MILITARY HONOURS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 June 1942, Page 2

MILITARY HONOURS

VICTIMS OF ARMY ACCIDENT FUNERAL IN MASTERTON YESTERDAY. PUBILC TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. Full military honours were accorded at the funeral in Masterton yesterday afternoon of the three soldiers who were killed at Rangitumau on Monday afternoon. The funeral and service were most impressive, the procession proceeding through streets lined with citizens. The three victims of the accident were Corporal T. B. Kilmister, Private G. Ferguson, both of Masterton, and Private T. R. McKenzie, of Clareville. An escort party headed the funeral procession. Then followed a firing party, three carriers, each conveying a casket, the chief mourners in cars, the band, a full muster of membars of the regiment to which the thjee soldiers belonged, detachments of the Home Guard, Lines of Communication Company and the R.S.A., other mourners in cars and the rear detachment. Each casket was covered with a Union Jack. Major E. Kenny and staff represented Headquarters and Lieutenant G. R. Jackson, assistant area officer, Masterton, represented the Army. Shops and offices were closed for a period while the funeral passed through the streets. Children of the Central School and of St Bride’s Convent lined Queen Street outside their schools while the procession passed. A service was held at St Matthew’s Church, where a guard of honour was formed outside the church. The service was conducted by the Venerable Archdeacon E. J. Rich, assisted by Padre Shiels. Members of the regiment lined both sides of Archer Street as the carriers proceeded to the cemetery from the church. Archdeacon Rich and Padre Shiels officiated at the cemetery, where a firing party fired three volleys and the Last Post was sounded. The number of wreaths received was very large, testifying to the respect in which the three soldiers were held by their units and by the community. Many, group wreaths were received from various army units, these being: N.C.O’s. and men Ruahine Regiment, Commanding Officer, Officers, N.C.O’s. and men 2nd Battalion Wellington Regiment; Officers of B Company, Ruahine Regiment; Carrier Platoon, 2nd Wellington Regiment; H.Q. Company, Ist Battalion Ruahine Regiment; N.C.O’s. and men C Company, Ruahine Regiment; Royal New Zealand Air Force. Other wreaths: — Late Corporal Kilmister: Commanding Officers and men of Ruahine Regiment, H.Q. Company Ist BattalXn Ruahine Regiment; personnel of Lilies of Communication Co., Transport Wairarapa Ltd.; drivers of Transport Wairarapa Ltd., Lines of Communication Co., No. 5 Sub-section Martinborough; staff of Messrs Woolworths, Ltd., Masterton; staff of Messrs John Graham & Co., Ltd.; Women’s branch of the Labour Party, Masterton; Masterton Townswomen’s Guild and Garden Circle; Messrs J. A. Betts, Ltd.; staff of Messrs Wright, Stephenson & Co., Ltd; Messrs Jenkins Motor Services, Ltd. Late Pte. Ferguson: Commanding Officers and men Ist Battalion Ruahine Regiment; Post Office Staff; Shell Company (N.Z.), Ltd.; P. and T. Linesmen, Featherston; Salvation Army Home League. Late Pte. McKenzie: Commanding Officers and men, Ist Battalion Ruahine Regiment; H.Q. Company, Ist Battalion Ruahine Regiment; Carterton branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union.