Body of Maurice Lay, Dirigible Airman, Returned to Greensboro, Sept. 21, 1921

Body of Airman Brought Home

Greensboro, Sept. 21—The body of Maurice Lay, Greensboro man who died when the ZR-2, monster dirigible, fell into the Humber River at Hull, England, will arrive in Greensboro tonight, according to a telegram received yesterday by Mrs. Lay. The body will, on its arrival in the city, be taken to the home of his widow, 403 Blandwood Avenue, where the funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 4 o’clock. Rev. W.O. Goode will conduct the services at the grave in Green Hill cemetery.

Mr. Lay, who was 31 years of age, was born in Birmingham, Alabama, but had considered Greensboro his home for the past several years, having been married to Miss Mabel Ridge of this city in March, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Lay lived at Pensacola, Fla., where Mr. Lay joined the party of American naval fliers who went to England for instruction in handling dirigibles preparatory to bringing to the United States the monster ship built for the United States Navy by England. Mrs. Lay has lived with her mother, Mrs. W.J. Ridge, 403 Blandwood Avenue, since her husband’s departure for England.

Rigger Lay was a chief aviation rigger, the highest non-commissioned rating in the navy, had served in the navy for 14 1/2 years. During that time he had seen service in various parts of the world and made an exceptionally good record. He was with the Atlantic fleet when the trip around the world was made in 1908-09. Four years ago he was transferred at his request to the aviation branch of the naval service and since that time had been in that service. He had had much experience in handling of balloons and as a consequence of his experience and of his record while in the navy was the second man selected as a member of the crew of the ill-fated ZR-2. Had he served for 1 ½ years longer he would have been transferred to the fleet reserve. He had planned to make his home in Greensboro when transferred to the reserve.

Surviving besides his widow are two brothers, H.E. Lay and W.M. Lay, both of Birmingham, Alabama.

From The Charlotte News, Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 21, 1921