The Air Disaster.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1922, Page 3

The Air Disaster.

i tils'l KALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION THE DEAD AIR.MEN. LONDON, April If). The bodies of Sir Russ Smith and Lieut Bennett will he embarked on the 24th. Several hundred of Vickers employees will attend the memorial service at Weybridge on Saturday. AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE. • Received This Day ;.t 8 30 a.m , LONDON, April 20. One of the most beautiful and most impressive services in London for years was that held at Saint Clement Dan’s Strand, in honour of Sir Ross Smith and Lieut Bennett. Outside the church a large crowd, opposite Australia House, were unable to obtain admission to the church, stood beneath the half masted Southern Cross, Union Jack and Royal Australian air force flag fluttering against a cloudless sky in glorious sunshine. It was such a (lav as marked the Hrooklands tragedy. The interior ot the church was picturesque with Italian characteristics and starred ceiling. It was an indirect 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. .Mournersentering the church were struck by the ML pealing joy and alternating muffled tones of sorrow. This note was preserved throughout the service, in which the sombre voice of the organ interspersed with the full hand’s triumphant selections, ranging from .Mendelsohns “Pilgrims March,” and Handel’s “Largo,” to Mach’s “Prelude” and .“Choral Fugue.” The fact that the hand played the majority of the hymns provided a dominant effect ot this memorial service. Alter the lesson was read by Henry Howard of South Australia, an .uidress was delivered by Viencr, Chaplain General ot the Royal Air Force, who maintained an appropriate note of exaltation, overshadowing the sorrow.

(Received This Dnv at 0.40 a m.) LONDON, April 20. Vicner paid a striking tribute to the dead, intrepid airmen, who possessed all the characteristics of wlmt successful flying men should he. He alluded to their courage, enterprise and attention to details and the priceless g'ft of cl,eeriness. Day after day they faced problems and solutions whereof "ere common to both.. Wc dearly loved such sportsmen. Only yesterday the " hole civilised world rang with the names of these splendid men and their companions, fortunately preserved for us. They met dangers foreseen and unforseen until the last, on the way to their native land. ’Twas a grand achievement, marked by those qualities which built up the Empire and brought success in the gigantic world struggle. V lenei referred to the irony of | airmen were killed on a trial flight al e. emerging from the hardships of wiand | the terrible experiences of the hi , flirdit. Our spirit seems to '<- v . j ' . riM . „ .mswer lav m the such happenings. Hit unswti . , fact flint God wanted them. W e , men, who are now engaged in a _ sphere of usefulness than was possible The service included a Masonic prayer, Last Post, Dead March in &*> < and Hallelujah chorus rendered '» The congregation included lepicsen , tatives of Britain’s Air, Army !“r.,rvk-e., «.»*» -W.te.w.l reprcscnlßtl by Cci.Br»l Trotter Arne, >- Viokers wore reprwntccl, «'» relative* at Ue«‘ b™““THE RESTING I’LACE. 'Received This Day at 1.39 p.m.) LONDON, April 20. The “Pall Mall Gazette” says:- Are the English cursed with a lack of >nia,.dilation. One of the greatest of Ri - ta,in’s sons lies dead in her cap. a Sir Ross Smith must be buried in the Abbey with the others of our i ace who achieved great deeds