HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2019
[Taken from IoM Times 9 June 1917]
It is with great regret that we have to announce the death, on Monday, of Col. Francis William Panzera, C.M.G.. Commandant of the Alien Camp, at Knockaloe, since February, 1916, when he succeeded Lieut-Col. Carpendale.
Col. Panzera had not been in good health for some little time, owing probably to his long residence abroad, and to the effect of different climatic conditions upon his heart. He had been suffering recently from fainting fits, and on Monday, shortly after noon, whilst engaged in his duties at the Camp, he staggered and dropped dead. He was making a tour of the Camp, accompanied by Brig.-General Thomas. CMG Officer Commanding the troops on the Island, when his end came with such, tragic suddenness. The cause of his death was heart failure.
There are few officers to-day who have rendered their country more signal service than Col Panzera, He was born in 1851, being a son of Mr J. G. I. A. Panzera, a civil engineer of repute in his day. His grandfather, Mr J. G. Panzera, was formerly Minister of War. and afterwards British Consul at Naples. Col. Panzera served two years with the Royal and Militia Artillery, and was then appointed to serve as Acting Engineer with the Royal Engineers in the Eastern District, to raise, organise, and train the Harwich Militia Division and First Class Army Reserve Submarine Miners. He commanded the troops at Harwich and Languard in 1890-93, In 1892 he was sent by the War Office to serve in the Colonial Office in South Africa, He was then Government Engineer Officer and Superintendent of Public Works for the Protectorate of Bechuanaland Border Police, He was a member of the Protectorate Concessions Commission in 1893, and commanded the Imperial Base at Macloutsie, and the Eastern line of communications. He served through the Matabele War, when he was promoted Major in the Reserve of Officers, and received a medal He was a. magistrate for Macloutsie and Tati district in 1893-94; then secretary to the Khama Eastern Boundary Commission, and a representative to the Vryburg-Palepye section of the Rhodesian railways. He was expert for the Treasury over the famous Jameson trial in 1886. He was a Special Commissioner- in 1889 at Ngarriland. He served through the South African War, D.A.A.G., in command of the artillery defences of Mafeking, was on the Staff of the Director-General of Communications, and was than sent to Bechuanaland as Assistant-Commissioner and Commandant of the Eastern Protectorate. He has been mentioned twice in despatches, won a medal with two clasps. the King's Medal with two bars, and promoted Lieut.-Col, on the Reserve of Officers. He was appointed to Knockaloe in February, 1916, and gazetted Colonel on 28th November. 1916.
He has published books on ''Questions and Answers on Gunnery." and "The Officering of the Artillery Militia." He has a beautiful residence at Gatewick, Dovercourt, Essex, and another in Mafeking. He was a member of the British Empire Club. His widow is at present in Essex, and he has two daughters, one of whom, we believe, was on the Island since the Colonel's appointment to Knockaloe. He also has a. son and a grandson, both serving their country in the African campaign. During the time Colonel Panzera has been on the Island, he has made himself a great favourite with the officers and men at Knockaloe. and the Aliens have always spoken of him as a great and just soldier. Even civilians who have come into contact with him have been charmed by his manner and his general desire on all occasions to make things as easy and as pleasant as possible for everybody concerned. The country can ill afford to lose such a man as Colonel Panzera. a man who has done so much in building up our great Colonial Empire. Owing to the death of the Commandant, the position will be held, we believe, until a new appointment is made, by Brigadier-General Thomas, with Captain Smith-Cleburne as assistant. The present Assistant Commandant. Major Grahame Taylor, is on three months' sick leave.
The mortal remains of Colonel F. W. Panzera, CMG who died with such tragic suddeness on Monday, were removed from Knockaloe Camp on Wednesday morning, with full military honours. Col. Panzera arrived at Knockaloe Camp in February, 1916, and. from that time, he has proved a capable and ideal head of this huge concern - the Camp containing over 22,000 alien prisoners of war. His vast previous experience in administrative work in various Government departments, specially fitted him for the difficult and most intricate duties, which the management of the Camp devolved on him. Since his arrival, the working of Knockaloe Camp has been carried on quietly, but firmly, with the result that comparatively few breaches of discipline or Camp regulations on the part of the interned men have taken place. A thorough disciplinarian, those with whom he came in contact, either officially, or in any other capacity, always found him an impartial judge. On Wednesday the whole of Knockaloe Camp - soldiers, civilian staff, and prisoners - mourn the loss of one whom it will be hard to replace. Col. Panzera was in his 67th year, but looked much younger, and his military bearing and exceptionally energetic appearance was the wonder of all. The news of his tragically sudden death cast a gloom, not only in the Camp, but also in Peel, where he was so well known and well liked.
The proceedings on Wednesday morning were very quiet. Reveille was sounded at 5 a.m..-an hour earlier than usual-and every soldier, except those actually on guard or otherwise engaged, paraded with their companies, to pay their last respects to the late Commandant. From the Camp main entrance, the troops were marshalled on each side of the road to as far as the Y.M.C.A. Pavilion. Promptly, at 6 a.m., the coffin, covered by the Union Jack, was borne from the deceased's late quarters, near the main entrance, on the shoulders of eight Sergeants, in charge of Lieut. Kensitt, and placed on an A.S.C. waggon, and the mournful cortege started for Peel Railway Station, with measured beat and slow, between the lines of troops with bowed heads and reversed arms. Amongst the Staff-Officers present were Capt, F. W. Smith-Cleburne, Major J. Quayle-Dickson, Major Fife Scott, Major A. Noden, and Lieut. and Quartermaster J. H. Cubbon. The troops were in command of Major J. G. Whitehead. Amongst the other officers who paraded were Capt, Elliot, Capt. Elliot, Capt. Wallace, Capt. Hambley, Capt. Scott Deakin. Capt. Rylands, Lieut. Houghton. Lieut. Coltart, and Lieut, and Adj. A. H. Harrison. Preceding the wagon was the band of the 330th Co. R.D.C., playing the Dead March from " Saul," and immediately following were Major Quayle Dickson and Major Noden. and a number of the civilian staff, including Commandant. Fox (L.M.V.C.) , A. Brittian, A. Harris, and C. W. Kelly. From the Vicarage to the Railway Station was lined with troops, in charge of Capt. Wallace, and a large number of townspeople attended at the Railway Station. The oak coffin, with plain brass mountings, was made by Mr A. H. C. Kelly, and bore the following inscription :-
"Colonel Francis William Panzera. C.M. G.,
Aged 66 years."
The body was received at Dongias Railway Station, and accompanied to the vessel with all the military honours which the rank and distinguished services of the deceased officer so richly merited. On the platform were assembled. - - Brigadier-General E. A. D'A. Thomas, C.M.G., Commanding Troops, Isle of Man. Colonel W. G. King, CLE., I.M.S., A.D.M-S. Lieut.-Colouel W. I. Anderton, Commanding Troops. Knockaloe. Lieut.-Colonel H. M. Madoc, Commandant. Douglas Alien Camp. Major T. M. L English, V.D., Commanding Troops, Douglas Camp. Major Quayle-Dickson, Sub-Commandant, Knockaloe. Captain F. W. Hampson, Adjt H.Q. Staff. Captain R. L. St. C. Nicholson, Douglas Camp. Captain J. L. Hambly, Knockaloe Camp. Captain Smith-Cleburne, Adjt, Knockaloe Aliens Camp. Captain J. T. Hammond. Dongias Camp. Captain R. Marshall, SA.M.C, Douglas. Captain H. NuthaiL Douglas Camp. Captain H. Cowte, Construction Officer, Knockaloe. Captain R. B. Wallace, Knockaloe Camp. Lieut. J. C. Kent, A.S.C. Lieet. J. B. Kershaw, of the Recruiting Office. Lieut. E. G. Hunt, Douglas Camp. Lieut. J. Kensitt, Knockaloe Camp. Lieut. A. H. Harrison, Adjt, (Troops), Knockaloe Camp. Lieut. W. Wild. Douglas Camp. Lieut. W. H. Wright, Douglas Camp. Staff. QJtf-S. S. Hickman, H.Q. Staff. Private W. S. Rcsenherger, H.Q. Staff. Rev. J. B. Jolly. Chaplain. Commandant Fox L.M.V. Adjutant Kerruish, L.M.V. Mr Bertram Sargeant (Government Secretary, representing the Lieut.-Governor, the Mayor of Douglas (Ald. Faragher, J.P.). and the Town Clerk of Douglas. A company of the Royal Defence Corps from the Douglas Camp was drawn up.
The train arrived at 7-46 a.m., and was received by the Guard of Honour at the "present." The coffin, which was draped with the Union Jack, was borne by eight non-commissioned officers, and was placed in the Army- transport wagon, which was in waiting, in charge of Lieut. Kent, A.S.C. The pall-bearers were lieut.Col. Madoc. Major Quayle-Dickson, Capt. Smith-Clebuirne, and Capt. Cowle.
A detachment of the Isle of Man Volunteer Corps, under Adjutant W. M. Kerrush. led the procession along the North Quay, towards the pier, marching in slow time with arms reversed, and were followed by the Royal Defence Corps. Then came the coffin, attended by the escort of officers, wearing a mourning-band on the arm. The band played the Dead March in "Saul"' along the route to the Victoria Pier.
Two wreaths of white flowers were carried behind the coffin by two non-commissioned officers from the Douglas Camp. One was inscribed: "From Lord and Lady Raglan, with deep regret," and the other "From Mr and Mrs Bertram Sargeaunt , with much sympathy." Along the line of route, sympathising spectators assembled to watch the cortege pass by.
On arrival at the pier, opposite the steamer Tynwald (Capt.. Cogeen), the military escort was halted, the soldiers rested on reversed arms and the coffin was carried on board the steamer and deposited on the main deck. The "present arms" was then given, and, the ceremony being over, the troops left the pier.
Col. Panzera's eldest daughter arrived at Peel on Thursday last on a holiday, and stayed at Marina House. She motored to Douglas on Wednesday muruing, in company with Mrs Smith-Cleburne, and was joined by Col. and Mrs W. I. Anderton, who will accompany her to London, en route for Dovecourt, Essex, where the interment was to take place yesterday (Friday).
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The
Editor HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2019 |
||