Mexborough and Swinton Times April 13, 1928

Remarkable Scenes at Wombwell.
Massed Tributes,
Famous Cricketers As Pallbearers.

As an expression of public regard and sympathy, the  funeral of Roy Kilner was a memorable spectacle. No such demonstration as ever been seen in the town. The pathos of Kilner’s death had called up a wonderful show of affection. Long before the hour of the funeral people began to collect in the streets, and Church Street was quickly packed.

Here the police had considerable difficulty in maintaining a passage for traffic. The normal business of the town was entirely suspended. Most of the shop blinds were drawn, and so were those of private houses along the route, and even in the side streets. The funeral drew to Wombwell a great assembly and the local police, reinforced for the occasion, handled a difficult situation very satisfactorily.

In keeping traffic going without inconveniencing the crowd or hampering the funeral arrangement, the police worked splendidly, with the co-operation of officials of the, Deanne District Light Railway. It seemed as though half South Yorkshire had suddenly been dumped in Wombwell.

Thousands walked from places as far distant as Rawmarsh, Barnsley, and Mexboro’, and thousands more arrived in cars, ‘buses, trams and trains. Most of the special buses pulled up on the outskirts, leaving the passengers to enter the town on foot.

It is estimated that quite 100,000 people witnessed the funeral. Some of the spectators must have suffered discomfort, outside the church woman was knocked down by a motor vehicle. Also several people fainted.

The Wreaths

the funeral procession started from the halfway house hotel, the home of Roy’s father, Mr Seth Kilner. Here friends have been gathering for several hours, many of them bringing with them floral emblems. The wreaths were displayed in a large room upstairs.

Emmott Robinson brought a wreath of white lace, narcissi and white roses, shaped in the form of a bat, and there was a magnificent circle of white roses and white lily from Lord Hawke and the committee of the Yorkshire C.C.C.

The Middlesex County Club sent red roses. There was an emblem from Arthur Dolphin and his wife and daughter, and roses fashion into a cricket ball came from Mrs Bagshaw, the widow of a former well-known cricketer and umpire.

A cross from Mrs Roy Kilner and the boys was of white roses and lilies of the valley, bearing an affectionate inscription. Mr and Mrs Seth Kilner and family sent more orchids, and Mrs Irving Washington is talking consisted of red tulips.

Composed entirely of daffodils was a huge cross sent by Mrs Roy Kilner’s family. Yellow roses predominated in the wreath from the directors of the Sheffield United Cricket and Athletic Club.

Directs the church were sent floral tokens from the Lancashire County Cricket Club. That from the players was made up of a mass of red and white roses intermingled. The president and committee sent red roses.

From Lord Milton was brought a huge reef of camellias of the palest pink and arum lilies. For the conveyance of the reeds two separate vehicles were required.

The following is a list of those who sent wreaths:

“To our darling, from Nan, Roy and Major.” Father and mother, sisters and brothers

The MCC “in memory of a fine cricketer.”

Lord Hawke and the committee of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

Directors, players and officials of the Barnsley Football Club.

“With deepest sympathy from the Barnsley Rugby Football Club.”

The Middlesex County Cricket Club

Mr and Mrs Jack Hobbs

Viscount Milton

Wombwell Church Lads Brigade Old Boys

Carlisle and Cumberland Society of Yorkshireman.

Dewsbury and Savile Cricket club.

“In affectionate remembrance of a great sportsman,” from the Warmsworth C.C.Doncaster.

“An affectionate tribute to the memory of the great cricketer,” from the Present and Committee of the Scarborough Cricket club.