Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-11-20
BODY OF field MARSHAL LORD
ROBERTS LAID AT REST in SAINT
PAUI'S CATHEDRAL ON THURSDAY

London. Nov. 10, 1857 p. M.-The
body of Field Marshal Lord Roberts,
the hero of Great Rritain's South At
rican campaign, probably the best
known leader of the British army to-
day. and the idol of the enlisted men,
was laid at rest in ST. Pauls cathedral
today. Lord Roberts died in France
at the Headquarters of the British ex-
peditionary force, Nov. IA, of pneumo-
MA He was in his send year. His
body was returned to England yester-'
day. Last night there were private
services at his home in Ascot apd to-
day occurred the public funeral.
Lord Roberts rests beside the hero
OF Waterloo, the Duke OF wellington;
Lord Nelson, Lord Napier and other
heroes of Great Britain's Indian and
African wars, with whom he had been
associated in his more than half cen
fury of distinguished military service.
1t is recalled today that it was just
62 years ago that the body of the Duke
of Wellington was inferred in st.
FauPs cathedral.
Lord Kitchener. secretary of war,
Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, Lord
Grenfell, Admiral Sir e. H. Seymour,
and other prominent naval and army
officers followed the eaisson bearing
the ag-draped coffin through the
streets of the city. The thoroughfares
were lined with soldiers and massed
with hundreds of thousands of Eng
lishment who stood with barred heads
in a drizziing rainstorm as the body
of Great Britain's most beloved mill
tary leader passed.
King George was not in the process
sion. He drove from buckingham Pal
ace direct to the cathedral, which he
reached shortly before the arrival OF
the funeral cortege. This is the first
time England's King has attended the
funeral of a national hero since the
burial Of the Duke of Wellington.
Preceding the caisson was battery
of Indian artillery, given this place OF
honor because of Lord Roberts life
long devotion to the Kings Indian
troops. His final visit to France was
for the purpose of welcoming the In
dian contingents and looking after
their needs. Tall Sikhs, their turbans
wound with Khaki and wearing their
regulation khaki great-coats which
covered their picturesque uniforms,
led the white mules of their battery
burdened with numbered guns, and
Indian officers, wrapped in their khaki
capes, paid silent tribute to their de-
parted friend. Lieutenant General
Pole Carew and eight other officers
rode beside the caisson carrying the
insignia of the field marshal, while
groom walked behind leading the
former chieftain's horse.
1t required more than an hour for
the military escort to pass a given
point in the line of march. The fun
eral party arrived at the Charing
Cross Station. and the procession.
moving to the Victoria embankmen5,
made its way along the mist covered
Thames to Black F'riar's bridge.
THE three bridges over the river.
commanding the route of march, We're
massed with crowds, but it was with
great difficulty that they could see the
procession in the avenue below be-
cause of the rain and heavy fog. The
wide parking along the boulevard al
so was thronged with crowds strug-
Cling to see. the silent soldiery. The
men passed by enveloped in mist
which seemed to intensity the solem-
nifty of their mission.
The pipes of the London Scottish
Society, followed by a battalion OF
that organization, led the procession.
in which the guards and battalions OF
naval attachments preceded the In
dian battery After the caisson came
the carria ges of the mourners ant
pail bearers a battery of the Royal
Horse Artillery while three battalions