The last sad farewell
The Royal Naval Cadets Corps
On Wednesday July 17, 1929 a massive funeral was held in Gillingham for the victims of the fire. All the shops were closed in Gillingham that day, their flags flying at half-mast. Despite the intense heat, thousands lined the mile long route to watch the cartage which represented almost every phase of public life in Medway. Earlier that morning there was a service held at the St. Augustine’s church for five of the children who were associated with the church.
The procession to the Woodlands Cemeterty, where all fifteen would be laid to rest, began at the old Council chambers in Green Street at 3:30 pm, headed by the engine of the Rochester Fire Brigade. Following this fire engine was the Naval Firing party and the Royal Naval Band. Following this came five gun-carriages carrying the remains of Eric Edward Cheesman, Ivor Douglas Weston Sindon, David Stanley Brunning, Leonard Charles Searles and John Thomas Nutton. John Nutton and the four children were the victims that had naval connections, therefore they were carried on the carriages. Following the carriages came some 500 naval ratings of all branches of the Service including young members of the Royal Navy Cadet Corps. They had lost 4 of their members in this fire. The naval detachments was then followed by the Lord Bishiop of Rochester, clergy, ministers and the Gillingham Salvation Army band. In all there were thousands of representatives of public bodies and institutions which followed the coffins including some 500 Scouts.
Next would come 10 fire brigade engines covered in wreaths, each bearing the coffins of the remaining victims who had no naval connection. The Gillingham engine was mounted with the helmets of the deceased firemen. As the cortege turned onto Canterbury Street it was seen that the people were standing as many as six deep. Proceeding at a very slow pace the they turned into Copenhagen Road. From here the procession made its way to Gillingham and Livingstone Roads and came to a brief halt when Canadian Avenue. The temperatures that day were high. It was here that the members of the procession could refresh themselves with cold drinks provided by neighboring homes. The intense heat of the day combined with intense emotions took its toll on many people. There were many cases of fainting and this kept the St John Ambulance Brigade busy.
The entrance to the Woodlands Cemetery was roped off and guarded by police and naval men. The ordeal for the family would only become worse. The solemn procession entered the cemetery at 4:20 pm. As the first carriage passed through the bands were playing Chopin’s "Funeral March". As many as possible would join the awaiting family members.
The graves of twelve of the victims were prepared in one long line. The service started with the hymn "Let Saints on earth in concert sing". Various members of the clergy participated in the service. Towards the end of the service the coffins carried by firemen were taken to their graves. Their bodies were committed by the Bishop. Petty Office Thomas Nutton was laid to rest in the Naval section of the cemetery. Fireman Albert Nichols was laid to rest along side his son, 17 year old Horace Albert Wagner Nichols himself a young victim of the Great War. In another part of the cemetery, but close to his friends, Leonard Searles was laid to rest.
A final hymn, "Jesu, lover of my soul" was sung, and this was followed by the final salute by the Naval Firing party. The sounds of the Last Post rang out thus ending the service. After the funeral the bells of Gillingham Parish Church were rung half muffled. And thus the people of Gillingham, the families of the victims were left to try and pick of the threads of their lives and carry on.
The procession to the Woodlands Cemeterty, where all fifteen would be laid to rest, began at the old Council chambers in Green Street at 3:30 pm, headed by the engine of the Rochester Fire Brigade. Following this fire engine was the Naval Firing party and the Royal Naval Band. Following this came five gun-carriages carrying the remains of Eric Edward Cheesman, Ivor Douglas Weston Sindon, David Stanley Brunning, Leonard Charles Searles and John Thomas Nutton. John Nutton and the four children were the victims that had naval connections, therefore they were carried on the carriages. Following the carriages came some 500 naval ratings of all branches of the Service including young members of the Royal Navy Cadet Corps. They had lost 4 of their members in this fire. The naval detachments was then followed by the Lord Bishiop of Rochester, clergy, ministers and the Gillingham Salvation Army band. In all there were thousands of representatives of public bodies and institutions which followed the coffins including some 500 Scouts.
Next would come 10 fire brigade engines covered in wreaths, each bearing the coffins of the remaining victims who had no naval connection. The Gillingham engine was mounted with the helmets of the deceased firemen. As the cortege turned onto Canterbury Street it was seen that the people were standing as many as six deep. Proceeding at a very slow pace the they turned into Copenhagen Road. From here the procession made its way to Gillingham and Livingstone Roads and came to a brief halt when Canadian Avenue. The temperatures that day were high. It was here that the members of the procession could refresh themselves with cold drinks provided by neighboring homes. The intense heat of the day combined with intense emotions took its toll on many people. There were many cases of fainting and this kept the St John Ambulance Brigade busy.
The entrance to the Woodlands Cemetery was roped off and guarded by police and naval men. The ordeal for the family would only become worse. The solemn procession entered the cemetery at 4:20 pm. As the first carriage passed through the bands were playing Chopin’s "Funeral March". As many as possible would join the awaiting family members.
The graves of twelve of the victims were prepared in one long line. The service started with the hymn "Let Saints on earth in concert sing". Various members of the clergy participated in the service. Towards the end of the service the coffins carried by firemen were taken to their graves. Their bodies were committed by the Bishop. Petty Office Thomas Nutton was laid to rest in the Naval section of the cemetery. Fireman Albert Nichols was laid to rest along side his son, 17 year old Horace Albert Wagner Nichols himself a young victim of the Great War. In another part of the cemetery, but close to his friends, Leonard Searles was laid to rest.
A final hymn, "Jesu, lover of my soul" was sung, and this was followed by the final salute by the Naval Firing party. The sounds of the Last Post rang out thus ending the service. After the funeral the bells of Gillingham Parish Church were rung half muffled. And thus the people of Gillingham, the families of the victims were left to try and pick of the threads of their lives and carry on.
