THE DEAD AVIATORS.

Otaki Mail, 24 April 1922, Page 4

THE DEAD AVIATORS.

IMPRESSIVE SERVICE IN LONDON. London, April One of the most beautiful and most impressive services in London lor years was tiiat held at St. Clement Dane’s in tlie Strand in honour of Sir Ross Smith and .Lieut. Dennett! Outside the church a large crowd who were unable to obtain admission to itte church stood beneath the Iralljttasted .Southern Cross, Union .lack and Royal Aa-Unlitm Air Force flags fluttering on Aus'yoii/i House against ;t cloudless sky m glorious sunshine. It was rn-li a day ys marked the Brooklands ttttu-My.

The interior m me church was picturesque. With its Italian characteristics and starred ceilings it was in direct contrast to the atmosphere ~-.seated by the presence in the gallerv it \ -i.ge Royal Air Force Band, which provided .several moving selections before 'lie service.

The mourners on .entering die church were struck by the beds py?iing with joy and alternating in muffled tones of sorrow. This note was preserved throughout the service, in -which the sombre voice of the organ interspersed with the full band’s triumphant note. The music ranged from. Mendelssohn's “Pilgrim's March" and Handel’s “Largo." to Hu.-h's Prelude and Choral fugue. The fad that the band played the majority of the hymns provided th° dominant effect of the service.

After the lesson. read by sir Hen tv Howard, or South Atugralia. an ad-,{f-pss was delivered by the Rev. Mr A jener, -Chaplain-General of the Royal Air Force, -whose theme was appro-, prlatefv maintained on a note of ex altntinn nyersbariowiflg sorrow.