CROWDS PAY TRIBUTE TO DEAD FIREMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 322, 5 April 1928, Page 18

CROWDS PAY TRIBUTE TO DEAD FIREMAN

IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL Thousands of people lining Karangahape Road and Pitt Street yesterday paid an impressive tribute to the memory of Enginedriver R. G. Beuth, who died as the result of injuries received in the oil fire at Freeman’s Bay. Long before the time set for the funeral a crowd assembled outside the Central Fire Station, and by two o’clock the route from the fire station to Ponsonby Road was lined by a crowd estimated at about. 10,000. The body was conveyed to the Waikumete Cemetery by the engine which the deceased had driven, and it was preceded by the firemen pall-bearers and a car filled with wreaths. Behind the engine came a car containing the chief mourners, including the deceased’s mother and sister. The band of H.M.S. Diomede playing the “Dead March” came next, and then representatives of other fire brigades, the police force, the tramway men, the St. John Ambulance, and ex-firemen. The Auckland Fire Board was represented by Messrs. J. J. Kingston, J. Milne, J. B. Paterson, T. E. Miller and P. Butler. The Defence Department was represented by Warrant-Officer S. M. Betteridge. Wreaths were sent by the Auckland City Council, the Auckland Fire Board, the Auckland, Avondale, Otahuhu, Ojie Tree Hill, Mount Roskill, Mount Eden and Mount Albert Fire Brigades, the Auckland police, city traffic department, Chief-Detective Hammond and staff, St. John Ambulance, H. O. Wiles, Ltd., Wright, Stephenson, Ltd., Winstone’s Ltd., Atlantic Union Oil Company Ltd., Superintendent and staff of the Parks and Reserves, the Mount Albert Grammar School Old Boys, and officers and men of the Wellington and Christchurch Fire Brigades. Children of the Beresford Street School, where the deceased was at one time a teacher, and the Grey Lynn Troop of Boy Scouts, of which he had been a member, also sent wreaths. The Rev. W. E. Gillam, chaplain to the Central Fire Brigade, assisted by the Rev. G. Coats, vicar of the Church of the Epiphany, officiated at the service at the graveside. GRAVESIDE SERVICE Mr. Coats expressed his sympathy with the young man’s mother and sister. He said they had lost an only son and brother. He had been a much-respected member of a body of valiant men who were always at the service of the community and never fail in their duty. Where duty lay there man must always be. prepared to face danger in order to uphold the honour, dignity and integrity of the profession to which he belonged. The young fireman’s death was a reminder of how willing were these men to do their best. Speaking of Mr. Beuth as he knew him, Mr. Coats said that he keenly felt the loss of a promising young man who had attended his church and who had been prepared for confirmation and communion by him. Captain T. J. Watts, secretary to the United Fire Brigades’ Association,

then read a nreman’s prayer. At the conclusion of the service the naval band played a verse of “Abide With Me.” As a last act of tribute the firemen filed past the casket, paused a moment, and saluted their dead comrade.