JOSEPH WOOTTEN

FUNERAL OF A VOLUNTEER AT NEWBURY.

A military spectacle, of whatever character it may partake, is sure to attract a large concourse of spectators in a country town, and Newbury proved no exception to the general rule on Saturday, when the members of the E Company, of the Berks Volunteers, accorded to Pte. Joseph Wootten, their deceased comrade, the honours of a soldier's funeral.

The Corps paraded at one o'clock under the command of Lieut. Somerset, and then marched to the house of the deceased in Speenhamland. The coffin having been conveyed to the hearse on the shoulders of four of deceased's late comrades, the mournful cortége set out, headed by the firing party, carrying their rifles reversed, and the regimental band, which proceeded at a slow pace, playing the impressive "Dead March" in Saul.

Following the hearse and mourning coaches, containing the relatives of the deceased, was a large number of the Corps, and then came a number of Oddfellows of the "Jack of Newbury" Lodge, of which deceased was a member. The procession looked quite imposing as it wended its way up Northbrook-street and Bartholomew-street, the "the thin red line" contrasting strongly with the "habiliments of woe" worn by the other members of the procession. Shortly after passing the Parish Church, the band ceased playing, and the pace was quickened until reaching the Railway-bridge, where the funereal step was again resumed with the playing of the band.

At the gates of the Cemetry (sic) the fring party and band divided, and the coffin was carried through their ranks. The Union Jack was used as a pall, whilst in addition to the beautiful wreaths and flowers that were placed on the coffin, was the bayonet, belt and helmet of the deceased Volunteeer (sic). The service was conducted by the Rev. J. G. Gibbs, vicar of St. Mary's, Speenhamland. Whilst the first part of the service was being performed in the chapel, the firing party formed up around the grave and rested on their reversed rifles. The coffin was lowered into its resting place by the four Volunteers, who then took their stand at each corner of the grave, whilst the remaining portion of the service was concluded. Then at the command of Sergt. Higgs, the firing party loaded with blank cartridge, and fired the customary three volleys over the grave.  

This concluded the ceremony, and the Volunteers having re-formed outside the Cemetry (sic), the firing party fixed bayonets, and the band struck up a quick march, leading the way to the Market-place, where the Volunteers were dismissed. There was a large number of spectators in the Cemetery, and along the whole of the route.

The Volunteers selected to form the firing party were Sergt. Higgs, Corpl. Church, Ptes. J. D. Smith, Welch, F. Stone, Curr, T. Long, Turk, G. Draper, H. Comyns, F. Seymour, Edwell, E. W. Cave, and Norris.

Newbury Weekly News and General Advertiser - Thursday 08 January 1885