Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Wednesday 1 June 1921, page 12


LATE COLONEL WATT

REMAINS CREMATED. RELIGIOUS SERVICE.

In the presence of a small number of rela-tions and private friends, the ashes of the late Colonel Walter Oswald Watt, O.B.E., Croix de Guerre, and Legion of Honour, late of the Australian Flying Corps, and a director of the firm of Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Sander-son, Limited, were deposited in the family vault at St. Jude's Churchyard, Randwick, last

night.

After the funeral recently, the will of the late Colonel Watt was opened, and was found to contain a request that his body should be cremated. The vault had not been sealed, and it was decided to carry out the late air-man's wish in this respect. The body was accordingly removed to Adelaide and cremated, the ashes being brought back to Sydney.

Enclosed in a casket, around which was

wrapped the Australian flag, the ashes were conveyed to St. Jude's Church, Randwick, where a short service was conducted at 8.30 last night, by the Rev. W. J. Cakebread. Those present included Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Watt, Miss Pauline Watt, Mrs. Walter Watt, Mr. Harry Caldwell, Mrs. Brady, Dr. and Mrs. Jamieson, Mr. Sydney Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. James Burns, Miss Phyllis Macarthur, Major Gordon Brady, Mr. John M'Keown, and

Mr. Ralph Gibbs.

Before the service commenced the relatives and friends covered the casket with sprays of flowers. The Rev. Mr. Cakebread read the 23rd Psalm, and offered up prayers. Mr. Ernest Watt, brother of the deceased, also read a portion of Scripture, commencing from the 7th verse of the 15th chapter of St.

John.

After the service in the church the ashes were conveyed by Mr. Ernest Watt to the family vault in the churchyard, the mourners following. There was something particularly impressive in the progress of this tiny cor-tege through the dim light of the churchyard. A slight breeze stirred the branches of the lofty pines, above the tops of which could be seen a few fleecy clouds racing across a starry sky. Down the winding pathway passed

the little procession of silent figures, a single lamp in the hand of the verger throwing a feeble glare over the surrounding vaults and tombstones. It was just such a procession which followed many a brave airman to his last resting-place in France or Flanders.

Few could desire a more fitting or more glorious final tribute than this. The flag for which he had fought with such conspicuous bravery enveloped all that remained of one of the most brilliant airmen Australia has pro-duced. Some of his greatest achievements were effected under the tricolour of France, but his glorious deeds while in the French army added to the lustre of his own Austra-lian flag, under which he served for the latter

period of the war.

On arriving at the family vault the ashes were deposited inside by Mr. Ernest Watt, and another short service was read by the Rev. Mr. Cakebread. In addition to the flowers placed on the casket in the church, the Fly-ing Corps pennant and the late airman's hel-met and goggles were also placed in the vault

with the ashes.

The Rev. Mr. Cakebread offered further prayers, and the mourners returned to the church.