Pc Fiona Bone Funeral: Manchester Stands Still To Remember Fallen Officer (PICTURES)

Thousands Gather In Manchester For Pc Fiona Bone Funeral

Police officers and the public turned out in force again on Thursday for the funeral of a second policewoman killed in a gun and grenade attack.

The main thoroughfare in Manchester city centre was lined with several thousand officers from across the UK and members of the public to see the passing cortege of Fiona Bone, 32.

The coffin of Pc Bone is driven through Manchester

It was the second consecutive day that Deansgate had come to a standstillfollowing Wednesday's service for her fallen colleague Pc Nicola Hughes, 23.

The officers died together in the line of duty after being lured to their deaths when they responded to a reported burglary at a house in Hattersley, Tameside, on September 18.

Pc Bone lived in Sale, Greater Manchester, with her partner Clare Curran, with whom she was planning a civil partnership, and Clare's daughter Jessie.

She was said to be "so happy" in life, planning their wedding and on the day she died had spoken to Miss Curran to discuss invites to send to guests.

The officer's family, who live on the Isle of Man, paid tribute to "a wonderful daughter, sister, partner and parent".

Senior representatives from all 43 forces in England and Wales joined Pc Bone's family and friends and her colleagues from Tameside division among the 1,000 mourners inside Manchester Cathedral.

The cortege was led by six horses from GMP's mounted unit followed by the hearse, bearing the coffin, which was shrouded in black cloth. On top of the coffin was Pc Bone's hat and gloves.

The coffin is carried from Manchester Cathedral, following the funeral service

Officers and the public all bowed their heads as the cortege passed and ripples of applause broke out along the route.

As the funeral cortege arrived at the cathedral spontaneous applause rang out and a lone Scottish bagpiper played a mournful lament.

A large portrait photo of Pc Bone was carried into the cathedral, followed by her coffin, draped in black cloth and carried by six of her police colleagues.

Pc Bone's parents, Paul and Jane, sister Vicky, partner Clare Curran and her daughter Jessie led remaining mourners into the church for the start of the service.

Again hundreds of police and public gathered outside at the rear of the cathedral to stand in silence listening to the service relayed on loud speakers.

The coffin was taken in to Brahms's Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen.

The first hymn sung was The Lord's My Shepherd I'll Not Want.

Bible readings were given by Pc Bone's colleagues Inspector Jane Brown and Pc Tracey Miskell.

GMP chaplain Charles Nevin read the poem She Is Gone, while mezzo-soprano Iona Fisher gave a performance of Beyonce's version of Ave Maria.

Police and the public gathered at the rear of the cathedral to listen to the service broadcast on loudspeakers.

Comments have been closed for legal reasons.

Close

What's Hot