THE LATE LORD ROBERTS.

West Coast Times, 21 November 1914, Page 4

THE LATE LORD ROBERTS.

THE FUNERAL.

GREATEST SPECTACLE IN NATIONAL HISTORY. DEEPLY (IMPRESSIVE CEREMU,NT., [per PP.F.SS association.— copyright]. LONDON, Nov. 10. The funeral of Eapl Roberta uill rank among the greatest spectacles in national history. The weather was cold and glomy,with sleet falling. Nineteen guns announced the, departure from Charing Cross <d the. Guards and other regulars, also the Territorials. Colonial troops lined the route; and The prc.ces.sion included the pipers of ihe Scots Guards, tho bands of the Horse and Foot Guards, the Indian Mourned Battery, the Horse Artillery the London Scottish, and King F.dn’iiril's JfTor<o. The coffin was enveloped in the Union Jack and .surmounted by Lord Roberto's sword and baton. His chargor followed. Many generals in the cortege born Lord Roberts’s medals and insignia. Next came iho pall-hearers, namely; Earls Kitchener, Wood, Grenfell, Methuen, and Nicholson; Admirals, Seymour and Beresford; Generals Hiilspohns. Biddulph, Hunter, Gasclyee, and Egerton.

’ The route was down ■ Northumberland Avenue along ihe embankment up New Bridge Stret ami up Ludgate Hill to St. Paul's, It was thronged with enormous crowds.

Many old soldier,-, who nerved under Lord Roberts were provided with reserved spaces in the Cathedral, which was packed. The Kin" ovupii'd a .special stall near the catafalque. The congregation included Mr. Asquith, laird I.an.sdowne .laird Crewe, Messrs llonar Law, Chamberlain, Beauchamp, Law ley, Balfour, and Peers and members of the House of Commons, the High C'omm’issiouerß, Agents-General, and several Indian princes.

Many officers who served under Lard Roberts, at present all on active work, wore khaki foil dress. Ono veteran wore the. Infantry uniform of the Indian Mutiny.

Dean Inge conducted the service, and the Bishop of London read the Collects, the Archbishop of Canterbury pronouncing the blessing. It was a mod impressive service, and there were few dry eyes as the Royal Artillery Band played Chopin's “Dead March" and trumpeters sounded “The Last Past’’ from the gallery in the dome. AIV-r the ceremony the body was brought to the hunt ehainvl gates, and the public passed a catafalque of the same des.vnplion as used at Wellington's funeral, sentries at the v-.nier,; leaning on reversed arms. Dsspite the wind and rain, thousands waited in a queue for hours, awl then filed by two doors into the Cathedral. They included many soldiers and wounded Belgians. MEMORIAL SERVICES. (Received Xev. 20 at 10 P-b.) SYDNEY, Nov. 2(1. Ten thousand people, including manv pi eminent citizens, attended the ord Roberts upon air memorial service. A.rehhi: hop Wright pa id a glowing tribute to Lord Roberts, lie feared nothing. MELBOURNE, Nov. 20. St. Rani’s Cathedra! was crowded for the Lord Roberts' memorial service. ROYALTIES PRESENT. (Received, Nov. 21 at 0.15 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 20. Queen Alexandria and Princess Victoria were present privately at the St. Paul's service. (Received, Nov. 21 at 1.10 a.m.) CAPETOWN, Nov. 20. A memorial service In Lord Roberts look place qt the cathedral in the presence of th'e civil, naval and military fund ionaries.