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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5237, 5 January 1878, Page 3

A recent issue of the Thames Advertiser has the following respecting the funeral of an old soldier :—“The funeral of the late Mr. John Sheard took place yesterday afternoon. The deceased had been in receipt of a pension from her Majesty for upwards of forty years, having enlisted in the army at an early age. He was not present at Waterloo, but ivas one of a detachment of recruits sent to fill up the gaps in the 19th Regiment after that ever-memor-able day, and the deceased remained in France during the occupation of that country by the allied armies, and afterwards served with his regiment in different parts of the British Empire. Having completed his twenty-two years’ service, he was pensioned off, and subsequently emigrated to New Zealand. He was one of the pioneers of the Thames goldfields. The deceased having, when near his end, expressed a wish to receive the last honors of a British soldier, bis son (Vol. John Sheard, of No. 2 H.R.V.), in deference thereto, saw Major Cooper on the subject, who instructed the officer commanding No. 2 to parade a private's funeral guard and procession. The funeral cortege left the dwelling of Vol. J. Sheard, Karaka Creek, about 2,30 yesterday. The band of No. 2 Haurakis took the lead, playing a funeral hymn. The bearers were old pensioners of tlie district, and four privates of the 2nd Haurakis acted as pall-bearers. The Rev. V. Lush officiated at the Shortland Cemetery, where the deceased was buried, with the usual three volleys, given as a last mark of respect by New Zealand volunteers to the memory of an old Queen’s soldier.”