The funeral of Captain E Cuthbert Ll Pickard, only son of Mr and Mrs T W Pickard of Glynde, took place at Glynde yesterday afternoon. Deceased, who was only 29 years of age, belonged to the 63rd Field Company, East Anglian Brigade, RE, with which he had been for about three years. He passed away in Norwich War Hospital as the result of double pneumonia, and his death caused the greatest regret among all his comrades. Always of a kind and considerate disposition, Captain Pickard was beloved of his men, and he leaves behind him a good name. In Glynde he was always popular, and the little village feels his death most keenly. He was a sportsman in the best sense of the word.
He was formerly Scoutmaster of the Glynde and Firle troop of Boy Scouts, and the boys loved him. Great sympathy has been expressed with Mr T W Pickard (well known as agent for the Glynde Estate), Mrs Pickard, and for the widow in their trial. Although the blow is heavy, it must be lightened to an extent by knowledge of the fact that the deceased officer bore so good a name. Their grief is shared by many. This was evidenced at the interment in the churchyard adjoining the quaint old parish church yesterday. The proceedings were conducted with military honours, the coffin being enveloped in the Union Jack. The body arrived by rail in the morning, and was conveyed on a hand bier to the church, where it rested until the service. This was attended by a number of friends of the deceased and his family, and not a few of the villagers and, although simple, was very impressive.
The officiating clergy were the Revd W E Dalton (vicar), the Revd G F Drysdale (vicar of Morton Valence, Gloucestershire), and the Revd J H Bailey (vicar of South Heighton). There was one hymn - Now the labourer's task is o'er. Mrs Hoather was at the organ and played suitable music. A number of employees on the Glynde Estate - Messrs J Booth, A Beech, J Dedman, A Medhurst, W Mockford and J Weller - acted as bearers. The coffin bore the inscription: Captain E Cuthbert Pickard, RE, died 24 Nov 1918, aged 29 years, and on it, as it was lowered into the grave, was a chaplet of chrysanthemums bearing the inscription: To our darling, from those who loved him best. The chief mourners were the widow, Mr and Mrs T W Pickard, Miss Kathleen Pickard (sister), while among the congregation were T Colgate, Mr W F Ingram and Mr C Newington. Major Patrick Beynon, Captain C R A Bowers and Captain E G Patching represented the Royal Sussex Garrison, and the attendance also included a sergeant and four men of the 224th Mixed Brigade, Signal Section, RE. Mr C Severs and Mr Howard Smith (Lewes) represented the Boy Scouts. A firing party of 20 men from the Royal Sussex Regiment, in the charge of Sergeant Eason, discharged three volleys over the grave, and two buglers sounded the 'Last Post'.