Funeral of Coastguard’s Roncliff and Mumford. 1899.

The funeral took place at 1.30 on Wednesday and was a most impressive ceremony, the deceased being interred with full service honours. Each coffin, covered with a Union Jack , upon which was the deceased’s cap, and numerous beautiful wreaths, was carried to Newcastle Railway Station and placed in a hearse. On either side of each hearse was a single file of coastguards, under Chief Officer Mehigan, Wicklow ; Garrett, Ballinacarrig : and Curling, Greystones ; and in front was the band of the Wicklow Artillery, under Sergeant-Trumpeter Viotti, the band being preceded by a firing party of twelve coastguards under Chief officer Easterbrooke. Following the hearses came the widows and relatives in closed vehicles, and immediately behind these, in the centre of two long files of military and police walked Commander Wellings, RN.; County Inspector W.G. Williamson, and Captain M.J.C. Dennis R.A. all in full dress.

The military included – Regt. Sergeant Major Smith and twenty-five of the staff. The police included – Head Constable Cotter with sergeants and men from Wicklow, Kilcoole, Delgany, Newtown, Ashford and Rathnew stations. The coastguards numbered about thirty, in addition to the officers named. The band played the “Dead March in Saul” at intervals along the road to Newcastle churchyard. At the church the Rev. Henry Gayer, Rector and Mr. A.W.I rwin led the procession into the sacred building. The usual burial service was then read, and included the 574th hymn. At the graveside the scene was most touching. First one coffin was lowered into the grave and portion of the funeral service read by Rev. Mr. Gayer. Then the second coffin was placed on top, the hymn “Brief life is here our portion” being sung by the choir, joined by some of the sailors. After the prayers were concluded, the firing party fired three volleys and the trumpeters sounded the “Last Post” The widows of the poor fellows then took a last look at the grave which contained the dearest they had on this earth, and the scene was very affecting indeed. Mrs Mumford, supported by two friends, swooned right off, and had to be carried to the carriage. The sadness of the occasion seemed to draw tears to many eyes.
 

Ref Wicklow News-Letter April 1 1899.

See in our Articles section, under "Life and Times", details of the 'Five Mile Point Boating Catastrophe 1899'

Naval Funeral at Wicklow 1903.

On Thursday afternoon the remains of Mr. Wm. Henry Darte, Chief Boatman in charge of Ballinacarrig Coastguard Station, were interred in Three-Mile-Water Cemetery with naval honours. Mr. Darte had been in failing health since his appointment to Ballinacarrig, having contracted a severe cold while on a manoeuvring cruise. Dr. Halpin had been in frequent attendance on him, and did everything that medical could devise to pull him through, but the end came on Monday evening. Deceased was extremely liked by the men in his charge, and was well known along the coast. His demise is very much regretted, particularly as he leaves a widow and nine small children. Deceased who was a native of Devonshire, was 46 years of are, and had served 30 years in the Navy.

The funeral, notwithstanding the thin population of the district, was largely attended. A firing party under the command of Mr. Fleming, Chief Officer, Arklow, was in attendance, and comprised five from Wicklow, four from Arklow, three from Five-Mile-Point, four from Ballinacarrig, and two from Mizen Head. The remains which were encased in a handsome coffin, were removed from the station shortly after three o’clock, the ensign having been lowered a minute or so previously. The firing party had been drawn up beside the hearse, and as the coffin was raised on the shoulders of the six pall bearers the order “Present arms” was given. After the coffin which was covered with the Union Jack and a number of beautiful floral wreaths from the children of the different stations, had bee placed in the hearse, the order “reverse arms” was given. The procession then started for the cemetery which lies about a mile distant from the station, on the road to Wicklow, and in a picturesque little spot on the banks of the Three-Mile-Water river, and quite adjacent to the sea. The firing party marched slowly in front of the hearse, and though rather small, the spectacle was an imposing one. Reaching the cemetery a halt was made, and the firing party formed two lines facing each other, with the arms at the “present” while the hearse passed between the lines. The coffin was then borne from the hearse by the six mourners to the last resting place. When the burial service, which was conducted by Rev. Mr. Buckley had concluded the coffin was lowered into the grave. The order being given, three volleys were fired by the firing party, and the closing of the grave commenced. In a few minutes time all that was mortal was wrapped up in mother earth, and the bystanders having breathed a prayer as the last sod was placed on the grave, they departed from the melancholic scene.

The following Coastguards attended :-

Wicklow – Commissioned Boatman Lind and Ratheram; Divisional Carpenter Francis; Boatmen Tamlin and Ayre.

Five-Mile-Point - C.C rick C.B.; Conroy and Kent, boatmen.

Ballinacarrig - Futter, C.B.; Rodgers, Boatman.

Mizen-Head – Travers, C.B.;

Arklow – Mr.G.Fleming, Chief Officer, ; Marshell and Emery, C.B.; Brennan and Pierce, boatmen.