A LARGE congregation paid  their last respects to Mr. Cyril Woods, at a funeral service at St. Peter's Church, Rushden, on Tuesday.

Former Station Officer at Rushden Ambulance Station, Mr. Woods died suddenly at his home, 3 Purvis Road, Rushden, Thursday last week.

He retired from the ambulance service a day after his 65th birthday, last November. In his short retirement he continued to help the sick.

Arriving in Rushden in 1924, Mr. Woods joined the St. John Ambulance Brigade. There was no modern depot and he and his wife had to deal with all calls and emergencies. He was unable to have a holiday for many years.

He had been station officer since the modern ambulance depot was built in Rushden about six years ago, and previous to this he was the area transport Officer.

A guard of honour was formed outside the church before the funeral; it was made up by ambulance men from all over the district.

The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. W. Gordon Muir.

Family mourners were: Mrs C Woods (widow), Mr and Mrs F G W S Robinson (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mr and Mrs C F Robinson (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mr and Mrs M Dyte (son-in-law and daughter), Mr and Mrs T Groome (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mr and Mrs J Chamberlain (brother-in-law and sister), Mrs L Knight (sister), Mr and Mrs R Street (brother-in-law and sister), Mr and Mrs D Willmott (brother-in-law and sister), Mrs G Freestone, and Mr and Mrs P Dickens.

The following friends attended: Mr R Jolley, Mrs M Robins, Mrs D Hume, Mr and Mrs C A Espin, Mrs F W Swindall, Mrs C Johnson (also representing Mr Hearn), Mr W G C Rich, Miss N K Dickens, Mrs E M Hyde, Mrs A M Folwell, Mr C Clifton, Mrs G Shadbolt, Mr H Geary, Mrs I E Wheeler, Mr and Mrs E Newell, Mrs K Hustwait, Mrs K Hinde, Mr and Mrs F Page, Miss J Botterill, Mrs J Walker, Mrs W Skinner, Mrs D A Meanwell, Mrs L White, Mrs A Pond, Mrs C Freeman, Mrs A Timson, Mrs J Billett, Mrs G Bollard, Mrs F Stevens, Mrs N Jones and Mr A J Jones, Mr and Mrs L Bazely, Mrs M O'Shea, Mr A Watts, Mrs K Sanders, Mr A Tomkinson, Mr C Freeman, Mrs M Mantle, Mrs M Blunt, Mrs A Boyd, Mrs P Storer, Mr and Mrs T Maddams, Mr J Allison (also representing C W Horrell Ltd).

The following members of the county medical service, including ambulance men, attended: Mrs A U Muxlow (chairman of County Health Committee), Dr B W Paine, Mr P Wilkinson (Chief County Ambulance Officer), Mr J M Hyde (County Ambulance Control Offi­cer), Mr H Bamkin (Northampton Borough Ambulance Service and representative of National Union of Public Employees), Mr R W Webb (Northampton Station Officer), Mr J Northern (Kettering Station Officer), Mr G S Watt (Corby Station Officer), Mr M Tarry (Control Officer Northampton County Hall), Mr W F Warren (Irchester Divisional Ambulance Officer). Mr M Willey (representing Higham Ferrers SJAB), Mr A H R Allen (Rushden Divisional SJAB Officer), Mrs D C Hooton (Rushden SJAB), Mr R F Smith, Mr F Burton (and wife), Mr E Shannon (and wife). Mr J W Murdin, Mr R Beardsmore, Mrs A C Mawby (representing husband and son), Mr L D Swain, Mr J Frazier, Mr R S Buck, Mr B M Parker, Mr and Mrs Elliott, Mr M S Boyd, Mr R Jacques, Mrs E M Beaufoy (representing Rushden Memorial Clinic) and Miss V Leach.