THE LATE LORD KITCHENER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11647, 16 August 1916, Page 2

THE LATE LORD KITCHENER.

THE NATION’S IMPOSING TRIBUTE. Its very lack of pomp lent impressiveness to the service in St. Paul's. The vast assemblage in the cathedral, the crowd that lined the route had come not to bury tne great soldier. but to praise him,, by joining in an act of mourning for his loss. Wihin the cathedral, which was very soon packed with mourners, tne hoods of the clergy and the robes of the Corporation of the City of" London were the only notes of colour, save for the little tabs of staff officers, and here and there a foreign uniform. Everywhere was black and khaki; the fragile pallor ol women in black, the severe service uniform of soldiers, who had only to lay by their swords to be ready tor thoir daily duties. This was no burial of the great earl. It was at once a public and a personal act of mourning for the loss of the soldier “whose work was done were we could thank him.” The King was in the khaki uniform of a field marshal. Queen Mary was in mourning. She wore a large black hat with black ostrich plumes. For the first time on an occasion of a ceremonial nature in which the King figured, the Life Guards forming the Royal escort had discarded their cuirasses trappings. They rode, in sober khaki on coalblack horses and with swords bared. There vveie a few moments of silence, after the arrival of the King, and then softly the organist played—at the request of relatives —the opening bars of one of Lord Kitchener's,. favourite • hymns, “Abide with me. ” The hymn was sung in a subdued manner, but a note of triumph swelled cut with the line, “I triumph still if Thou abide with me,” ‘ ‘RECESSION AL. ’ ’ Nearly five thousand people attended a memorial service at Westminster Abbey, Irish Guards sounded the “Last Post,” One of the hymns at tne service was Mr Rudyard Kipling’s “Recessional,” and Mr Kipling, who was present, informed oho of the officials that this was the first occasion on which he had heard the hymn sung. Some members of the congregation took their seats at ten o’clock in the morning, five hours before the time of the service A number of blinded soldiers were present In many cities and towns throughout the country on Tuesday memorial services were held for the late Lord Kitchener. The Lord Mayor, Corporation, and members of the Uuiverisity attended a service at Birmingham Cathedral. The service at Rochester Cathedral was in memory’ of Lord Kitchener and “all who have perished at sea in the country’s service.” The service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, was attended by General Sir John Maxwell and his staff, and many prominent citizens.