Florence NIGHTINGALE

Funeral of Florence NIGHTINGALE.

The remains of Miss Florence Nightingale were on Saturday conveyed frvui London to Wei low, near Ramsey, on the borders Hampshire and Wiltshire, and were interred in the churchyard where her parents are buried. Shortly after 10 o’clock in the morning the body, enclosed in an oak casket, which was surmounted by a plain white pall, was removed from 10 South Street, Park Lane, to Waterloo Station. The removal was witnessed by reverent crowds of people, who uncovered the cortege moved slowly its way down the narrow thoroughfare and into Park Lane. The coffin was covered with a profusion of beautiful wreaths, among which were particularly noticeable a number of very fine laurel tributes, bearing inscriptions in gold upon white satin ribbon. Alongside the driver was placed a replica of the famous lamp which the deceased lady carried while performing her heroic task in the hospitals of Scutari, surmounted with white and red flowers, with lilies of the valley forming the handle. At the rear of the hearse, which was drawn by two horses, was fixed enormous white cross, mounted on pedestal, which was strikingly beautiful. Upon it was placed a broad white ribbon with the words in gold In grateful appreciation of a noble example. From the matrons and nursing staffs of the London hospitals.” Then followed the names of all the hospitals in the Metropolis. The hearse was followed its way to Waterloo by three private carriages, in the first of which were to noticed Mr Vaughan Nash, principal private secretary to the Prime Minister and a relative of the deceased lady. was accompanied a lady and gentleman. In the second carriage rode a member of the Corps of Commissionaires. As the cortege moved cut into Park Lane the traffic was stopped, and the people the motor ‘buees and other various vehicles which were being driven along the thoroughfare raised their hats and silently watched its passing. Th© traffic was also held up at Hyde Park corner the hearse proceeded upon its journey. The whole route to Waterloo Station was crowded with spectators as the remains passed on. There was also a largo crowd at the station the arrival of the funeral party, but spectators were kept from the platform, to which the cortege immediately proceeded. The coffin was carried to the platform by Grenadiers, Coldstreams, and Soots Guards, who travelled with the train to act as a bearer party on arrival at Wellow. On being placed in the coach, it was covered with white Indian shawl, often worn Miss Nightingale, and it lay a wreath of red sword lilies from Dr Shore Nightingale and the family, a wreath of roses from the Lea Hurst garden, sent Mrs Shore Nightingale; a wreath of heather and bracken from Mm Shore Nightingale’s grandchildren, and lilies «>f the valley from Miss Nightingale’s secretary, Miss Elizabeth F. Bosanquet, and Miss Ellen Bosanquet. ROYAL AND OTHER TRIBUTES. A beautiful cross of orchids was t-y her Majesty Queen Alexandra, to whicn was attached the autographed inscription : “To Miss Florence Nightingale,— ” In grateful memory of the greatest benefactress to suffering humanity, by founding the Military Nursing Service the year 1853 by her own individual exertions and heroism, From Alexandra. “August 20, 1910.” The other floral tributes included wreaths from the American Ambassador and Mrs Whitelaw Reid; Princess Frederica, “In deepest sympathy”; the Army Council, ” In Memoriam”; cushion of flowers—” With heartfelt regrets of the survivors of the Balaclava Light Brigade Charge—To our benefactress and friend of nearly 60 years—T. H. Roberts”; the officers, N.C.O.’s, and men of the Royal Army Medical Corps, ” A tribute of profound admiration and respect”; the matron and nurses, the present patients, and the domestic staff the Hospital for Invalid 19 Lisson Grove; the nurses and council of St John’s House; the matrons and nursing staffs of the hospitals—St Bartholomew’s, Charing Guy’s, George’s, King’s College, the London, St Mary’s, Middlesex, Royal Free, University, and Westminster; the International Council Nurses, in the name of 25,000 members of the affiliated National Councils of, Nurses in Great Britain and Ireland, Canada, the United States of America, Germany, Denmark, Holland, and Finland, ” With homage to the honoured memory of the foundress of modern trained nursing”; the American Federation of Nurses, the Red Cross Society, Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Nurses, “In reverence and gratitude”; etc.. to be continue………..

Aberdeen Press and Journal – Monday 22 August 1910