The burning caravan. Ancient Romany custom was carried out today at St. Paul's Cray when a gipsy caravan belonging to Papa Purches was burned to the ground after his funeral. His eldest son, A1 Purches fired the van whilst members of the family looked on. papa was father of 17 children and one, Danny Purches, sings with Stanley Black's orchestra. When the fire was lit the family said in Romany "Bushil-a Krim" (God bless You). The custom is world-wide a gipsy caravan flares during a funeral in England. March 17, 1954. (Photo by Daily Mirror).