Crowds of people lined the route to the cemetery of a North-East coast town when the funeral took place today of Capt. Mamert Stankiewicz (58) who met his death in the sinking of the Polish vessel Pilsudski on Sunday.

Capt. Stankiewicz was the holder of the D.S.O., awarded to him for his services as commander of a British submarine during the last war. When Poland regained her independence he took over the command of a polish naval value.

It is understood that he had not long been in command of the Pilsudski. He was married and had an eight months old son.

Two of the Captain’s brothers, Roman and John, the former a commander of a Polish naval vessel, were present at the funeral. A British rear-admiral with his first lieutenant, members of the Polish Consulate, British naval ratings, Corporation officials and the majority of Polish survivors of the Pilsudski were also present.

The sympathy aroused by the heroic captain’s death was indicated by the representative attendance at the Church. Clergymen, Polish women, and many townspeople crowded into the building.

The service was conducted by a Polish priest, assisted by British priests, was held in a Roman Catholic Church.

The cortege was preceded by a detachment from the Sea Cadets organisation who, over the graveside, sounded the “Last Post”, and the “Reveille”. British naval ratings fired a salute of three volleys.

There were many beautiful wreaths, the majority of them adorned by coloured ribbons – identical to the Polish flag. Included among the floral tributes were the following: “Roman and John”; Polish Ambassador; Polish Consulate General, London; “To my gallant ally” – from a British Rear Admiral; Mayor, Corporation and officials of the town; “A token of esteem from the officers and ships’ companies, Polish destroyers”; “In remembrance from the liaison officers and British ratings”; “To our faithful and heroic flag captain” - Gdynia-America Shipping Line; Gdynia-America Shipping Line Copenhagen; American and Canadian staff Gdynia-America Line; colleagues and friends – Lamport and Holt Line; Stelp and Leighton Ltd, Newcastle.