Wednesday, November 18, 1914
Camp Salisbury Plain, West Down South
The Battalion War Diarist wrote for this day: “Frost and very cold. Drill” [1]
THIS DAY IN RMR HISTORY: “London, November 18th. The Official Press Bureau gives a touching account of the funeral services for Field Marshal Lord Roberts at the Headquarters of the British Army in France.
The route of the cortege from the house where he died to the market square where the funeral service was held says the Press Bureau’s statement “was lined with British and French troops. The coffin was borne on a gun-carriage. It was an impressive ceremony. The guards of honour were Indian and British troops.
To the wail of ‘The Flowers of the Forest’ from the Pipers, the procession moved slowly through double ranks of soldiers with arms reversed. General Officers acted as pall bearers. Those following the casket included representatives of King Albert and President Poincare; the Prince of Wales, and Prince Arthur of Connaught, and General French.
The simple funeral service was conducted by Chaplain Anderson of the British forces. At the conclusion of the service the British bugles rang out “The Last Post.” As the coffin was removed to a motor ambulance for conveyance to Boulogne, French trumpeters across the square blew a fanfare, and the guns of Lord Roberts old regiment roared out a last farewell. A double rainbow gleamed, a mass of dark clouds and an aeroplane circling above, one of the aerial guard watching and protecting the procession, dipped in salute.” [4]
[1] War Diary, 14th Canadian Battalion, The Royal Montreal Regiment, Nov 18, 1914. Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e044/e001089676.jpg [2] The Dead Field Marshal Borne Through Troops,” The Montreal Daily Mail, Montreal, Wednesday, November 18,1914, pg. 3, col. 3. [3] http://www.garenewing.co.uk/angloafghanwar/articles/roberts_funeral.php [4] “The Dead Field Marshal Borne Through Troops,” The Montreal Daily Mail, Montreal, Wednesday, November 18,1914, pg. 3, col. 3.
