General Chat

How sad Harold is all alone at his age.
A shame his funeral wasn't a couple of weeks or so ago; I would have attended.
It seems certain he will have plenty of company for his send off, thankfully!

How nice his service is on Remembrance Day - the Brits hold their services on the Sunday (today).

http://news.sky.com/story/1166285/funeral-appeal-after-wwii-veteran-dies-alone

RIP Harold. Thank you for your wonderful contribution in our country's time of need.

An old ex-RAF lad - and very proud of it and of my service.

Barry

I saw this on Sky News yesterday and I admit that I openly wept
My father in law was a Military Policeman in the RAF, staioned in Naples Italy, where he met and married my mother in law... a Land Army girl.
They both had a loving send off at their funerals, from family and friends

RIP Harold. You deserve it too <3 <3

I just had a look at the link.How sad for him to die all alone.What wonderful response there has been .He will have an amazing 'send' off'.I think I just went through a box of tissues :-(

... so glad I found and posted the link to Harold's story.
Have emailed link to friends across the globe.

Thanks, GL and Jane.

The latest news is that several hundred people are expected to attend Harold's funeral following the media appeal.
Amongst those expected to attend are representatives from the RAF Association, an 80 year old ex WRAF member and a serving soldier currently on leave....Its great news that even the police are monitoring it just in case they need traffic control in place...What a send off and nothing less than Harold deserves

I always feel sad for people who have few relatives or friends to attend their funerals, for whatever reason, and am glad this gentleman will have a great turn out today.

Who knows what might happen with all those strangers turning up, people might see old friends, make new ones or relationships may blossom. And so life will go on.....

Rest in Peace Harold,

Lizx

http://www.itv.com/news/story/2013-11-10/funeral-dambusters-war-veteran-harold-jellicoe-percival/


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24889924
Mr Percival's nephew, Andrew Colyer-Worrsall, said the attendance was "just remarkable".

"He was a quiet man, he was an ordinary man who did his duty and served in the war and to see so many people turn up, it's just overwhelming," he said.

"I can only say thank you so much to everybody.

"We thought there would just be two or three of us, so to see this many hundreds of people turn up is stunning."


Mr Percival's nephew, David Worsell, who could not attend the funeral, said: "He was a private man.

"He worked in Australia for a number of years as a decorator and would visit England for holidays.

"He travelled around England with only his backpack.

"He didn't have a postal address - he just used to get everything sent to my mother's address and would go through it when they met up."

Frank Richard Carew-Percival, who contacted the BBC from Australia, said he was Mr Percival's nephew and was disappointed that he wouldn't be able to attend the service.

"He lived with us on and off in Australia and New Zealand. He loved cricket and taught my son how to spin bowl."

He said his uncle was a shy man who led a "nomadic type " lifestyle.

"I managed to trace him six months ago and sent him photos of when he lived with us.

"We always had a Coe's room wherever we lived as he could turn up at any time."

Mr Percival's family told the BBC a nephew, great-nephew and great-niece would be at his funeral.

Dear Barry

Hello

Good to see you posting.

It was so heart-warming and restored faith a little more to see so many people attend.

Rest in peace, Mr Percival.


Take gentle care barry
Sincere wishes
Elizabeth, EOS
xx