LATE AIRCRAFTSMAN JESSOP

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 246, 16 September 1940, Page 2

LATE AIRCRAFTSMAN JESSOP

(From Our Own Correspondent.) RONGOTEA, Sept. 14. Residents of Rongotea were shocked and saddened at the news of the tragic death of Aircraftsman Arthur L. Jessop at the Ohakea aerodrome as the result of an accident on Wednesday evening. Deceased was born in Fcilding 22 years ago, and came to Rongotea witli his parents at an early age. lie attended the school _ and served his apprenticeship to the engineering trade in a local garage. He removed from here to gain further experience at Cambridge, and from there he enlisted in the R.N.Z.A.F., about 12 months ago, being stationed first at Ilobsonvillo and transferring to Ohakea early this year. Mr Jessop was respected and highly regarded by his acquaintances, A young man of high ideals, and possessed of ■ a keen mechanical mind, ho was an able and skilful mechanic, yet with it all he loved life and his pleasant smile, with a frank and genial personality won for him a host of friends, Tho funeral took place on Friday afternoon, when there was one of the largest gatherings of friends and sympathisers ever seen at the Rongotea cemetery to pay their last tribute of respect to the departed, and to those who mourned for him. A service at the Anglican Church was conducted by Rev. N. >S. Barnett, who also officiated at tho graveside. The pall-bearers at the church were Messrs L. Hogg, J. and W. Holland, B. Colo, J. Lavin and F. Butler. The deceased was accorded a military funeral. At the cemetery members of tho Air Force acted as pall-bcarcrs and also provided a firing party, and tho Last Post was sounded, concluding a most impressive ceremony. The floral tributes were many and beautiful, including wreaths from the Commanding Officer, Officers, N.C.O.’s and airmen of the R.N.Z.A F., Ohakea; Signals Section, Ohakea; R.S.A., Bulls: directors, Rongotea Dairy Company; staff, Rongotea Dairy- Company; Women’s Institute. Rongotea; W.D.F.U., Rongotea; and tlio Social and Farewell Club, Rongotea. A very large number of messages of sympathy were also received from all parts of the Dominion, the chairman and couni cillors of the Manawalu County Coun- ' oil, and officers and brethren of the Ronj gotca Masonic Lodge joining with residents of the district in extending to Mr A. Jessop and family heartfelt sympathy.