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[Page 127]
Ross died at 10.45 AM. It is a Pity that He was allowed to leave Hospital on the 26.4.17 as he was not in a condition to go to Duty, as he has been sick ever since. He reported Sick before arriving at Ismailia and why they did [not] land him ashore or send him to Cairo or Alexandria I don't know but this is very bad management running a man stricken with Fever & Plurise across the Red Sea, one of the Hottess Seas in the world. This is the risk we all run and the lack of intrest taken in the men. Run for the day 283, to go 1854.
5 PM. The Ship's Company was brought on the Quarter deck by the toll of the Church Bell for Burial Service. The Body of George Ross, Stoker 1st. Class, was laid on a grating in the Starboard Ganway and covered with a Union Jack. Myself and Stoker's Winterfield, Glover, Ridgeway, were the Bearer's and had the painful duty of committing our Mess mate's body to the Deep. The Firing party lined the Starboard side of the Quarter Deck, the Bugler standing Aft. The Captain and Chaplain, and all Officer's were present. The Chaplain commenced the Service at 5.5.PM. going through the Burial Service up to the first Hymn. The Ship's Company sang "Abide with Me". As we were singing the Hymn the Ship seemed to swing round so that the extreme end of the Sun's ray seemed to be centred dead in line with the Body. And as the Chaplain committed his Body to the Deep we raised the Head of the Grating and as the body slid of the Grating and struck the water it also struck the extreme end of the Sun Ray, which was already fast sinking in the West. The Chaplain then carried on and finished the Prayer, Committing our dear Friend to the care of God.