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“It wouldn’t matter if you had the full authority of Mr Attlee himself,” interrupted Roach “When it co I can do for you”

“Why not?” snapped Ar

“Because he died teeks ago I sent him back to Berlin in a coffin last Monday”

12

Melbourne Courier

12 September 1950

SIR GRAHAM TOWNSEND DIES

The cortège came to a halt outside the cathedral Keith stepped out of the leading car, took his uided her up the steps, followed by his sisters As they entered the building, the congregation rose from their seats A sidesman led them down the aisle to the e into hi the same question: “Are you up to it?” A moment later the coffin was borne past them and placed on a catafalque in front of the altar

The service was conducted by the Bishop of Melbourne, and the prayers read by the Reverend Charles Davidson The hymns Lady Townsend had selected would have es” and “Fight the Good Fight” David Jakeave the address He talked of Sir Grahay, his enthusiasm for life, his lack of cant, his love of his family, and of how much he would be missed by all those who had known hiation that Sir Graham had been succeeded by a son and heir

After the blessing, Lady Townsend took her son’s arm once more and followed the pallbearers as they carried the coffin back out of the cathedral and toward the burial plot

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” intoned the bishop as the oak casket was lowered into the ground, and the gravediggers began to shovel sods of earth on top of it Keith raised his head and glanced around at those who circled the grave Friends, relations, colleagues, politicians, rivals, bookies—even the odd vulture who, Keith suspected, had co hole

After the bishop had n of the cross, Keith led hislimousine Just before they reached it, she stopped and turned to face those who silently followed behind her For the next hour she shook hands with every mourner, until the last one had finally departed

Neither Keith nor his mother spoke on the journey back to Toorak, and as soon as they arrived at the house Lady Townsend clireat marble staircase and retired to her bedroo a light lunch He laid a tray and carried it up to his mother’s roo in She was sitting in her favorite chair by theHis mother didn’t move as he placed the tray on the table in front of her He kissed her on the forehead, turned and left her He then took a long walk around the grounds, retracing the steps he had so often taken with his father Now that the funeral was over, he kneould have to broach the one subject she had been avoiding

Lady Townsend reappeared just before eight that evening, and together they went through to the dining roo the saht She only picked at her food, and after theand walked through to the drawing room

When she took her usual place by the fire, Keith re in his father’s chair Once the maid had served them with coffee, his mother leaned forward, warmed her hands and asked him the question he had waited so patiently to hear