UNKNOWN DEAD.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1920, Page 5

UNKNOWN DEAD.

THE EMPIRE TRIBUTE.

BURIAL OF ONE SOLDIER,

. By Telegraph.—Press Asan.—Copyright. Received Oct. iiO, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 25. The burial of the body of an unknown soldier in Westminster Abbey on Armistice Day will be marked by an imposing ceremonial, and will be in conjunction with the unveiling of the Cenotaph.

The body will be conveyed from France by a warship, and the route in London, through Hyde Park, thence into Whitehall, and on to the Abbey, will be lined by troops. The body will bo borne on ft gun-carriage, escorted by all branches of the army, navy, and the air force. A halt will be made at the Cenotaph, Which the King will unveil as Big Ben strikes eleven o'clock.

The procession will then proceed to the Abbey, the King walking behind the coffin as chief mourner for the Empire. The pall-bearers will consist of Admirals of the Fleet, Field-Marshals, Generals, and Air Marshals. Replying in the House of Commons to a question asking whether Allied forces would participate, Lord Curzon (Foreign Secretary) said the ceremony would be limited to the British. Questioned whether "British" meant "tho United Kingdom," Lord Curzon replied: "Most emphatically no. The Dominions had ns much to do with the war as Britain, >nd are entitled to the fullest possible representation. India will also be included."

Massed bands will play continuously en route. Royalties, members of Cabinet, high civilians, and leading service officers will follow the King to the Abbey. The grave will be filled with soil from the original grave in France. Guns will fire a salute.

There will bo two minutes silence at eleven o'clock, and Lord Curzon hopes the silence will ho observed all over the Empire.—Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn.