FETE TRAGEDY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 19 July 1929, Page 5

FETE TRAGEDY

BURIAL OF VICTIMS LONG LINE OF GRAVES IMPRESSIVE SCENES (United Press Association—By ElootrU Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian Preen Association) LONDON, 17th July. The fifteen Gillingham Park victims who lost their lives during a fete owing to the premature burning of a dummy house, were buried in a lung line of graves. Tlie whole town surrendered itself to the solemnity of the service. Every street except those along the line of the route was deserted. Shops were closed and 100,01)0 persons watched the procession throughout the journey of two miles. Police lined the route. A draped fire engine led the way. A naval firing party and band from the naval barracks and five sailor-drawn gun carriages followed. On the carriages were the coffins of naval cadets, pathetically small, beneath the folds of covering flags. Officers, the blue jackets band, and white robed clergy came next, then one behind tho other followed ten fire engines, each bearing a coffin. After these came hundreds of hclmetcd firemen, Boy Scouts, school boys, and town officials, making a procession a mile long.. Mourners were estimated at 4000.

A dozen people fainted at the graveside, overcome by the excessive heat. TwelVe sailors fired a volley, and flowers brought in special' cars were piled up in a huge mound.