Today I presided at a funeral for a man of integrity, a proud Australian who was proud of his military service. The deceased man was the first Australian to keep guard at the Imperial Palace in Japan after they capitulated at the end of the Second World War.

When planning his funeral in October with the funeral director, the deceased man asked for an Anglican service but not a church burial as, he said, although he was a confirmed Anglican, he had never attended church so a church funeral would be hypocritical in his eyes.

The funeral was therefore held graveside at the Piper's Flat cemetery, nestled in between the Portland Road and the railway line to Mudgee. At the appropriate part of the funeral service the Portland RSL Sub-Branch had their little ceremony, finishing with a minute's silence.

1721 ambled past Pipers Flat cemetery. Right on cue at 13:27 during the minute's silence. 8130 did the honours.

A genuine thanks from me and the funeral director for the respectful quietness with which the train passed the funeral. They let their speed drop on the grade and didn't power until they were long past us. Ta.

On the way back 3 blue Cs were waiting section clear at Wang. Was in funeral director's car so couldn't get the numbers! 14:02.

 

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