top of page
Search

Funeral of Driver Thomas Kay, RFA, Dec 1914

The Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury, Saturday December 5th 1914 (page 8)


LIVERPOOL SOLDIER’S FUNERAL

IMPRESSIVE CEMETERY AT FORD

In the presence of a numerous gathering of relatives and friends, the funeral took place yesterday, at Ford Cemetery, of Mr Thomas Kay, a driver attached to the 70th Battery of the Royal Field Artillery, whose death occurred last Sunday at the Western General Military Hospital, Manchester, at the age of twenty-five years. Prior to the interment, the remains of Driver Kay had been removed to his late residence, No 217 Upper Frederick-street, Liverpool, and before the cortege left the house there was a striking display of public sympathy, the family being well known in the neighbourhood. Driver Kay had experienced much strenuous fighting at the front, coming successfully through the action at Mons, and also participating in the subsequent general retirement, consisting of days of continuous rear-guard actions, until the battle of Ypres, when he received many severe wounds, after having four horses shot under him. He was invalided home but the severe nature of his wounds proved fatal before his arrival at Liverpool and his death took place as stated.

The coffin was draped with the Union Jack and the open hearse was covered in a profusion of floral tributes from members of the family and friends. The cortege was met at Ford Bridge, Seaforth, by the regimental band and buglers of the Lancashire and Cheshire Royal Garrison Artillery, in command of Captain Allen and Lieutenants Parks, Ockleston, Ray, Windle and Bengough, the firing party, in command of Sergeant Hollis, marching in front with reversed arms. As the cortege entered the cemetery gates, the band played Chopin’s “Marche Funebre.”

The service was conducted by the Rev. Father J Lowry and at the conclusion the customary three volleys were fired over the grave, the buglers sounding the “Last Post.”

The mourners present included Mrs T Kay (widow), Mr H Kay and Mr J Kay (brothers), Mrs Waring (sister), Mr W Kay and Mr Mylott (unlces), Mrs W Kay and Mrs Mylott (aunts), Mrs Hobson (cousin), Mr Shannon. Mr Tosney (father in law), Miss B Tosney (sister in law), Miss Kay, MRs Fisher and family, Mrs H Kay, Mrs J Kay, Mr Harvey, Mrs Gibbons, Mrs Hutchin, Miss Wall, Mr Waring, Mr J Cole, Mrs Ferns, Mr J Lussey, Mrs Pritchard, Mr Fooddy, Mrs Tosney and Mr J Crewe. Mr Shepherd represented the deceased’s late employers, Messrs W. Harper and Sons.

The remains were borne to the graveside by six members of the Royal Garrison Artillery.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs Thomas Porter and Sons, of Toxteth Park.




Comments

bottom of page