FUNERAL RITES

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 9817, 22 February 1936, Page 10

FUNERAL RITES

DISTINGUISHED AIRMAN. LATE MR MoQREGOR. IMPRESSIVE DEMONSTRATION. PALMERSTON N., Friday. A restrained demonstration of the community’s sorrow at the passing of a great airman marked the funeral of the late Squadron-Leader M. G. McGregor, M.G., D.F.C. and bar, at Palmerston North to-day. The occas-. sion afforded proof of the affection felt by the city and the Dominion for a man whose eminence in his profession was but one phase of a great personality. In view of the aviator’s distinguished association with the Air Force, a full military funeral was accorded him. The casket, which had been brought from Wellington by motor-hearse, was met inside the city boundary and transferred to a gun carriage, the team and riders being drawn from the 7th and Bth Batteries, Royal New Zealand Artillery. The pall-bearef’s were officers of the New Zealand Air Force and a detachment drawn from the Air Force provided an escort. This was followed by

a party of Union Airways pilots in dress uniform -and by a large group of returned soldiers and representatives of all services in the Great War. The cortege was led by the Palmerston, North Garrison Band and as it moved toward the Opera House,’ where a service was held, hundreds of citizens lined the streets, all silent in their tribute. At the cemetery a firing party from the Boys’ High School Cadets stood with bowed heads and reversed arms as the coffin was borne to the graveside. At the conclusion of the service there the party fired a volley over the grave and the Last Post was sounded. The Air Foroe officers present included Wing-Commander T. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services, SquadronLeader G. L. Stedman and SquadronLeader L. M. Isitt.