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| Title |
Thomas William Mills Obituary |
| Source ID |
DOC000004 |
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| Notes |
- OBITUARY NOTICE
"THE SAPPER" August 1901, Page 28
MECHT. STAFF-SERJT. T. W. MILLS, R.E.
The remains of Staff-Serjt. Mills, R.E., who died at the Newcastle Hospital, after having recently returned from Jamaica, were interred at Preston Cemetery on the 29th May with full military honours.
The cortège left Clifford's Fort at the Low Lights, and was one of the largest of its kind ever seen in the district. Both officers and men of the Tyne Division Submarine Miners mustered in strong force, the number reaching almost 200. Included amongst the former were Capt. Martin, R.E. (adjutant); Capt. Trescott, I.O.M.; Capt. Towers, and 2nd Lieuts. Robinson, G. Towers, and Arnison. In addition there were 17 of the deceased's comrades connected with the Tyne section of the C.B., R.E., and 13 of the R.E. from Tynemouth Castle.
The coffin, covered with the Union Jack and bearing the deceased's accoutrements, was placed upon a gun carriage (lent by the T.V.A.), attached to which were the horses. There was a large number of floral tributes sent by friends and comrades of the deceased soldier, including the officers, serjeants, and rank and file of the Tyne Division, and the married ladies of the Fort.
Prior to the departure of the cortège hymns were impressively sung in the yard, after which the procession started, the band, under the leadership of Bandmaster Patterson, playing the Dead March in Saul. Thousands of persons lined the route, and at the cemetery another large crowd had collected to witness the arrival.
The coffin was lifted by Q.M.S. Lee, C.S.M. Drake, Serjts. Colbeck and Northeast, who acted as pallbearers, and the funeral service was conducted by the Rev. David Tasker, pastor of the Howard Street Presbyterian Church. Between the firing of the volleys over the grave and the sounding of the "last post" those assembled round the place of interment sang a hymn, and afterwards the men were re-formed in processional order, and marched back to their headquarters. The proceedings throughout were most solemn and impressive.
C.L.
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