AIRSHIP DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1930, Page 5

AIRSHIP DISASTER

THEIR LAST RESPECTS.

CROWDS AT WESTMINISTER.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

(Received this day at 9 a.m.) LONDUN, October LU,

The dim light in Westminister Hall, the profound silence of the motionless figure of the Air Force guards standing bare headed with reversed arms combined to make tiie lying-in-state oi tile I‘JOl victims an inipressiie .scene. Lady Bvackner was one of the first to arrive and passed into the hall with the general public. The coffins, draped with Union Jacks rested almost in a garden of flowers. The hundreds of wreaths included tributes from their Majesties and other Royalties to heroes who lay where Kings of England have lain in state, indeed where no other commoner but Gladstone rested. Crowds waited to pay their last respects, the door opening as Big Bell boomed eight, THE MEMORIAL SERVICE, WOULD WIDE REPRESENTATION, (Received thin day at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, October 10. For two hours before the memorial service commenced at Saint Paul’s London, a queue waited to gain admittance, A dense throng also waited to witness the arrival of the principal mourners. The presence of the Prince of Wales on behalf of his Majesty, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, members of the Cabinet, Dominion delegates to Imperial Conference, Ambassadors and other distinguished foreigners, testified that the grief was not only national but world-wide.

' The Service was broadcasted throughout the world including to Germany, by special request. Thousands of disappointed people 'remained (reverently outside. Traffic, was diverted. Mr Forbes, Sir.T. Sidey and Sir T. Wilford represented New Zealand.

The service commenced with the National Anthem and concluded with the Dead March. The Last Post was sounded by Air Force buglers.

A most poignant touch was the pall draped over the altar. It was the airships ensign, whic/h tattered but glorious had still floated over the shattered skeleton after RlOl plunged to destruction.