 THE FUNERAL. BURIED WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS. Covered with the flag he loved so well, and fought so bravely for, the mortal remains of Mr. Samuel Wassall, Barrow's veteran V.C., who died in the North Lonsdale Hospital on Monday in his 70th year, were laid to rest in Barrow Cemetary on Thursday afternoon. Quietly but reverently the people of Barrow paid their last tribute to the gallant old gentleman, and even his comrades at Lichfield, the headquarters of his old regiment, were represented by Sergt. F. Smith, 2nd Batt. South Staffords. Regt. Crowds assembled in the streets near his residence, 34, Lyon-street about half an hour before the cortege proceeded to borne an open hearse and was almost obscured by the many beautiful wreaths, tokens of affection and respect. A detachment from the 4th Battn. King's Own Royal Regt. headed the cortege, and at the church door formed a guard of honour through which the coffin was borne on the shoulders of four sergeants, including Sergt. Smith. Following the coffin came Capt. R. H. Horne, T.D. Capt. H. B. Palmer, and buglers from the 4th Battn. King's Own. Members of the British Legion also attended and included Mahor Oughterson, Lieut. Spencer, Lieut. Tickle, Quartermaster Jones and others. Mr R. N. Hunt (an ex-Marine) represented the local branch of the Navy League. The service at the church was conducted by the Vicar, after which the firing party assisted by the Rev. G. C. Potts. At this cemetary the last rites were performed by the Vicar, after which the firing party fired three volleys. As the bugle strains of "The Last Post" died away, one of England's heroes reposed peacefully in his last resting place. The chief mourners were the widow; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wassall, Mr and Mrs. Albery Wassall, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Wassall and Mr. Henry Wassall, sons and daughters-in-law; Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard, Mr. and Mrs. E. Huddard, daughters and sons-in-law; Mr. Albert and Mr. George Wassall; nephews; Mr. George and Mr. Herbert Sutton; grandchildren. The floral tributes included those from Major Oughterson, Commander Craven, R.N., O.B.E., members and committee of the Gasworkers' Institute, electrical department. Barrow Shipyard, South Staffordshire Regiment, and Old COmrades Association, Lichfield. Messrs. W. Ormandy and Sons were the undertakers. |
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