LORD ROBERTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 151, 21 November 1914, Page 4

LORD ROBERTS.

LORD ROBERTS' FUNERAI* * ■ - • 1 AN IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLB. k HARDLY AX EYE DRY. * 'THOUSANDS PAY THEIR LAST \ TRIBUTE. By Cable—Press Association— London, November 1!). Lord Roberts' funeral ranks among; the greatest spectacles in national, his-* tory. The day was cold and gloomy * with sleet. Nineteen guns amiouncedthe departure of the procession from.Ohar-' ing Cross. The Guards and other regulars, also Territorials and colonial troops, lined the route. The procession included pipers, the Scot-.' Guards Band, Hornand Foot Guards, an Indian mounted battery, Horse Artillery, the London Scottish, and King Edward's Horse. The coffin was enveloped in the Union Jack, and surmounted ,by Lord Roberts' sword); and baton. His charger followed the' coffin.' 'Many generals bore Lord Roberts* medals and insignia. Next came the pall-bearers, namely :->-r Lord Kitchener, Field-Marshals flSr> Evelyn Wood, Lords Grcnfell, Methtien and 'Nicholson, (Admirals Seymour and Beresford, Generals Hill-Johns Bid: dnlph, Hunter, Gaselce and Egerton. The route, was from Northumberland Rvenue along the Embankment, New Bridge street, and Ludgatc Hill. It was thronged with enormous crowds. Many old soldiers who had' served under Lord Roberts were provided with reserved spaces in the Cathedral, which was packed. The King occupied a special staff near the catafalque.

The congregation included Mr. Asquith, Lords Lansdowrio and Crewe, Messrs. Bonar-Law, Chamberlain, Lord Beauchamp, Sir A. Lawlcy, Mr. Balfour, peers, members of Parliament, High Commissioners, Agents-General, and several Indian princes. Many of the officers who served under Lord Roberts were present. All on active work wore khaki, retired officers full dress. One veteran wore the infantry uniform of the Indian Mutiny. Bean Inge conducted the service, the Bishop of London read the Collects, and the Archbishop of Canterbury gave the blessing. It was a most impressive serI vice, and there were few dry eyes as the j Royal Artillery Band played Chopin's I "Dead March" and the trumpeters sound* led the "Last Post" from the gallery in the Dome. ■ ' ,

After the ceremony the body w brought to the front of the chancel gates, and the public passed the catafalque, which was the same as was used at the Duke of AVellington's funeral. There were sentries at the corners leaning on their reversed arms. Despite the wind and rain thousands waited in the queue for hours, and then filed by two doors into the Cathedral for hours. The visitors included many soldiers who had been woWdedy and Belgians.

MEMORIAL SERVICES IN , AUSTRALIA. "'_ _ A GLOWING TRIBUTE. "_ ; Received 20, 10 p.m. Sydney, November 20, Ten thousand, including many promw nent personages, attended the Lord Rob-: erts open-air memorial service. Archbishop Wright, in the course of a: glowing tribute, said Lord Roberts feared Cod, and because he, feared God he feared nothing else. Melbourne, November 20. St. Paul's Cathedral was crowded af the Lord Roberts memorial service. i