Rhodesians in their thousands, paying silent tribute to the 'quiet man' of politics, yesterday lined the city streets as President John Wrathall's funeral cortege moved slowly to Salisbury's Anglican Cathedral.
In the country's second State funeral in two months, members of the Executive Council, Government and the armed forces paid their last respects to Rhodesia's second President who died suddenly at Government House on Thursday morning.
The funeral procession was escorted to the Cathedral yesterday afternoon by detachments from the BSA Police, Army, Air Force and Guard Force.
As the Cathedral bell tolled, the gun carriage bearing the President's coffin moved through the streets accompanied by the band and corps of drums of 1^st Battalion the Rhodesian African Rifles and the band of the Rhodesian Corps of Signals.
The coffin of the 65 year-old Head of State was draped in the Rhodesian flag on which rested a wreath of red carnations and a black velvet cushion bearing the Presidential chain of office. It was carried into the Cathedral on the shoulders of black and white servicemen representing the BSA Police, Army, Air Force and Guard Force.


Widow
The President's widow, Mrs Doreen Wrathall, looked composed as she entered the Cathedral on the arm of Lieut-Colonel Norman Wood, Chaplain-General of the Rhodesian Army. Lieut-Colonel Wood, who later conducted the private cremation service at Warren Hills, led Mrs Wrathall to the front of the Cathedral where she sat flanked by her sons Jonathan and Christopher.
The funeral service was conducted by the Dean of Salisbury, the Very Rev John da Costa. Following the first hymn, the Lesson was read by the Prime Minister, Mr Ian Smith.
An address was later given by the Rev Fred Rea of the Methodist Church. Mr Rea described President Wrathall as a man who 'was not afraid to stand up and be counted.
'When it became clear to him that our country was drifting towards the abyss of civil war, he did not hesitate to point us towards our one source of hope - even God himself.
'He was a man of faith,' said Mr Rea. 'I am convinced that the quiet integrity of the man and the devotion with which he executed his public offices were a product of his religion.'
Mr Rea, who admitted to being 'passionately opposed' to the policies of the party with which President Wrathall was identified on entering politics in 1962, said Rhodesia was a house divided against itself.
'There are many conflicting beliefs, held with passionate conviction. That is inevitable, but what is not inevitable is that such divisions should lead to hatred and violence and mutual condemnation.'


Last to arrive at the Cathedral was the Acting President, Lieut-Colonel H B Everard who joined the Prime Minister and Mrs Smith in a front pew.
Among the dignitaries present were the three nationalist members of the Executive Council, the Rev Ndabaningi Sithole, Senator Chief Chirau and Bishop Abel Muzorewa. The last took his place in the Sanctuary with other church leaders.
The eight pall-bearers, including the chiefs of Rhodesia's armed forces, followed the coffin down the aisle as a 21-gun salute sounded over the city. As the coffin emerged from the Cathedral, six Hawker Hunter jet fighters and three Canberra bombers of the Rhodesian Air Force roared low overhead in formation.
A motorcade followed the BSA Police-escorted gun-carriage to a private cremation at Warren Hills.