Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 21, 2016 22:50:45 GMT 12
From the Auckland Star, 22 February 1936, the funeral of S/Ldr Malcolm "Mad Mac" McGregor, WWI ace, postwar Territorial Air Force pilot, barnstormer and airline pioneer and hero, sadly killed on approach to Rongotai when his aircraft struck a pole.
FULL HONOURS.
MILITARY FUNERAL.
LATE SQUADRON-LEADER
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES.
(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)
PALMERSTON N., this day.
A full military funeral was accorded the late Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor, M.C., D.F.C., at Palmerston North yesterday. The casket, which had been brought from Wellington by motor hearse, was met inside the city boundary and transferred to a gun carriage, the team and riders being drawn from the 7th and 8th Batteries, Royal New Zealand Artillery.
The pall-bearers were officers of the New Zealand Air Force and a detachment drawn from the Air Force provided an escort. This was followed by a party of Union Airways pilots in dress uniform and by a large group of returned soldiers and representatives of all services in the Great War.
The cortege was led by the Palmerston North Garrison Band, and as it moved toward the Opera House, where a service was held, hundreds of citizens lined the streets, all silent in their tribute. Flags were flown half-mast on business premises throughout the day. The Opera House was packed. On the stage were a large number of floral tributes from private persons and organisations throughout the Dominion. The casket was placed on the stage, which was occupied by Air Force officers, Union Airways pilots and representatives of the forces.
"Most Gallant Gentleman."
"We are met here to-day to pay tribute to the memory of one who was New Zealand's most famous aviator, and who was one of the most gallant gentlemen of any generation," said the Rev. J. Hubbard, who conducted the service. "It has been given to few men to excel in peace equally as in war, but that came to the lot of Squadron-Leader McGregor."
After the impressive service the casket was borne by Air Force officers to the hearse. Hundreds of people stood bare-headed when the procession started. It passed through a long lane of mourning citizens and secondary school boys and girls. At the cemetery a firing party from the Boys' High School Cadets stood with bowed heads and reversed arms as the coffin was borne to the graveside. At the conclusion of the service there the party fired a volley over the grave, and the "Last Post" was sounded.
The Air Force officers present included. Wing-Commander T. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services, Squadron-Leader G. L. Stedman and Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt.
FULL HONOURS.
MILITARY FUNERAL.
LATE SQUADRON-LEADER
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES.
(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)
PALMERSTON N., this day.
A full military funeral was accorded the late Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor, M.C., D.F.C., at Palmerston North yesterday. The casket, which had been brought from Wellington by motor hearse, was met inside the city boundary and transferred to a gun carriage, the team and riders being drawn from the 7th and 8th Batteries, Royal New Zealand Artillery.
The pall-bearers were officers of the New Zealand Air Force and a detachment drawn from the Air Force provided an escort. This was followed by a party of Union Airways pilots in dress uniform and by a large group of returned soldiers and representatives of all services in the Great War.
The cortege was led by the Palmerston North Garrison Band, and as it moved toward the Opera House, where a service was held, hundreds of citizens lined the streets, all silent in their tribute. Flags were flown half-mast on business premises throughout the day. The Opera House was packed. On the stage were a large number of floral tributes from private persons and organisations throughout the Dominion. The casket was placed on the stage, which was occupied by Air Force officers, Union Airways pilots and representatives of the forces.
"Most Gallant Gentleman."
"We are met here to-day to pay tribute to the memory of one who was New Zealand's most famous aviator, and who was one of the most gallant gentlemen of any generation," said the Rev. J. Hubbard, who conducted the service. "It has been given to few men to excel in peace equally as in war, but that came to the lot of Squadron-Leader McGregor."
After the impressive service the casket was borne by Air Force officers to the hearse. Hundreds of people stood bare-headed when the procession started. It passed through a long lane of mourning citizens and secondary school boys and girls. At the cemetery a firing party from the Boys' High School Cadets stood with bowed heads and reversed arms as the coffin was borne to the graveside. At the conclusion of the service there the party fired a volley over the grave, and the "Last Post" was sounded.
The Air Force officers present included. Wing-Commander T. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services, Squadron-Leader G. L. Stedman and Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt.
