Latest news with #militaryhonours
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
WWII hero, 102, gets proper military send-off from community and veterans who turned up en masse for his funeral after he died with no surviving relatives
A WWII hero has received a proper military send-off at his funeral as locals and veterans turned up en masse after the 102-year-old died with no surviving relatives. William 'Bill' Darnell, who lived all his life in Hull, East Yorkshire, was supposed to be laid to rest by a niece, who was his last surviving relative, but she tragically died two months before he did. Next door neighbour Jo Barlow, 59, stepped in to fund the service at Hull Crematorium but then realised the pews would be empty. Mr Darnell's friends and local veterans' organisation Hull4Heroes put out a public appeal for mourners and dozens responded to the call, with the chapel ending up packed with many having to stand. In touching scenes he was buried today with full military honours, including a piper, guard of honour of four standard bearers, and bugler who played the Last Post as veterans stood in silent tribute. Mr Darnell was born during the reign of George V in Brecon Street, Hull, in February 1923, in a terraced house with only an outside toilet, tin bath, and a sink with a cold tap. As a child he attended Buckingham Street School, or Mucky Bucky as it was known, before signing up for the Army as a young man and in 1942 became one of the first to join the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) as a lorry driver. He never talked about his wartime experiences or what he went through so no one knows where he was stationed, and his Army file is believed to have been among the REME records destroyed in a blaze at the War Office in 1959. But veterans attending the funeral said because of his age he could have very well have served on D-Day. After the war, he returned to Brecon Street and worked at the British Aerospace factory at Brough, working on military jets such as The Buccaneer during the sixties and seventies. His apprentices remembered him as an affable pipe-smoking boss who refused to be hurried and was often late - daring bosses to sack him if they didn't like it. Mr Darnell played golf at Beverley, East Yorkshire, enjoyed a daily flutter on the horses, and amused his colleagues by singing made up ditties at work. Celebrant Irene Kopanska told the packed funeral chapel: 'I think today he would be surprised to see all that has taken place in his honour and would say a very proud thank you to all of you. 'Bill was a very private person and not one for reminiscing, so despite living more than 100 years we don't know a lot about him. In the year of his birth the electric shaver was invented and frozen food. 'He lived in the area all his life. When he was a young lad there was only the occasional car. Horse drawn transport was the order of the day. Ten years before the area was just fields. 'As a young man he signed up for the Army. We suspect he was called up because of his age. We know he was a very upright member of society. A piper walked in front of the funeral procession as it arrived for the service this morning 'He had a dim view of hanging around the streets with no work. He was quick to share his opinion how National Service helped people of his generation. 'He was well respected as a hard worker and diligent member of staff. He was described as a great bloke with a dry sense of humour. He was known as a gentleman and good teacher for his apprentices. 'In later life, he enjoyed repairing cars and any sport. He supported Hull KR. He played a lot of golf and had trophies in his home. 'In lockdown he had neighbours knocking on his door, checking on him and helping with his shopping. For the first time in a long time, his life was different in a positive way and new friendships were made.' Those attending were told that after Covid, he became more and more frail - but was delighted to receive a 100th birthday card from King Charles. Help For Heores stepped in, moving his furniture downstairs and tidying up his overgrown garden, which he became very proud of and would always show visitors around it. Since no photograph of Mr Darnell has been found, the card was displayed on top of his casket, draped in the union jack, next to a REME cap. Among those to have made the trip to attend the funeral was Jason Garnham, 50, from Beverley, who has served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Iraq for the Royal Logistical Corps. He said: 'It is a strange funeral because we are the dark about what he did. But all the veterans have pulled together to make sure he got the sendoff he deserved.' Former Sgt Major Paul Perry, from Wakefield, formerly of 50 Missile, Royal Artillery, and other units, runs the Veterans and Riders Support Group for 700 veterans, including ex-pat veterans in the US, Australia and South Africa. During his service, he met Prince Harry at Sandhurst and Princess Diana. He said: 'A lot of the veterans do not want to talk about their experiences. I am glad for him that it was a good turnout. 'At least he was not alone. That is the main thing. A soldier should never go out alone. Occasions like this make your bottom lip go. They really do.' Mark Granger, Standard Bearer and Branch Secretary of the Doncaster and District REME Association, said the spectre of a paupers' funeral was now hanging above many of the older veterans. He said: 'We heard he was getting a pauper's funeral. We don't allow that. This is the third one I have done that was going to be pauper's funeral. But thankfully, he has had the right send off. 'It was a full chapel and we had regulars all the way from Ripon. I work in the funeral industry anyway so I know what it is like. 'It is becoming more and more common especially now. Once they get over 90 most of their family has passed away themselves or drifted apart. 'If it is a military veteran, we get the word out the best we can so his Veterans' Family can bond together.' Retired staff nurse Maureen Robinson, 74, from Hull, was one of the local people who answered the appeal for mourners. She said: 'If you can't be here for people like him there is no point in being here at all. 'My brother is in the forces but is undergoing tests for cancer so he could not be here today. But nothing was going to stop me coming. 'Our veterans fought our battles before most of us were even born.' Veteran military bugler Kev Fawcett, who played the Last Post as the veterans stood in silent tribute to Mr Darnell, added: 'This is the third or fours time I have come when they have put a call out round for mourners. 'This is happening more often but people rally round and give them the send off they deserve. It is the least we can do after all they have done.'
The Sun
29-06-2025
- The Sun
Brit pilot, 24, found dead at US Navy base with shotgun wound to the head
Costas was given a funeral with full military honours in Amersham, Bucks, where his parents live BRIT TOP GUN DEAD Brit pilot, 24, found dead at US Navy base with shotgun wound to the head A BRIT pilot was found dead at a US Navy base after suffering a shotgun wound to his head, an inquest heard. Costas Georgellis, 24, had been training to be a fighter pilot at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Nueces County, Texas, when he died on April 29. Advertisement 2 Brit pilot Costas Georgellis was found dead at a US Navy base after suffering a shotgun wound to his head, an inquest heard Credit: Assistant coroner for West London Richard Furniss suggested the death has the 'hallmarks of suicide' and did not confirm if a criminal probe was under way. The inquest was adjourned until further details and records are sent by US authorities. Loughborough University graduate Costas was given a funeral with full military honours in Amersham, Bucks, where his parents live. Attendees wore red, white and blue - the colours of his home country Britain and adopted country America - and the purple of Loughborough University's hockey team. Advertisement Hockey star Costas' parents also set up a fundraising page which got £2,360 in donations for mental health charities Mind and The Brandon Caserta Foundation (US). Loughborough uni's mens hockey team wrote on Instagram: 'We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of our former teammate, committee member and friend, Costas Georgellis. 'Costas was a cherished part of our club, known for his kindness, welcoming spirit and of course his backhand hit through his legs.' A tribute posted online by his mum and dad said his 'infectious laugh and kind heart made the world a better place'. Advertisement It added: 'He lived an amazing life, full of adventure, always pursuing his dreams with determination and bravery. He will never be forgotten. 'We invite all of those whose life he touched to share their memories and photos below for family and friends to cherish.' 2 Costas was given a funeral with full military honours in Amersham, Bucks, where his parents live Credit:
BBC News
17-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Family 'over the moon' at lost WW1 soldier's burial in France
The great-grandson of a World War One soldier whose remains were found during building work in France said his family was "over the moon" to see him buried with full military Henry Ashton from Derbyshire was killed aged 44 in 1917, during an operation near Lens, and he was listed on the Memorial to the Missing at from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) traced Sjt Ashton's living relatives, and a funeral was held for him in Loos-en-Gohelle on Brookes, from Chellaston, Derby, said the service was "very moving". Sjt Ashton initially served 12 and a half years with the Seaforth Highlanders before working for the Midland Railway rejoined the Army in March 195, first with the Derbyshire Yeomanry before transferring to the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in October his death in 1917, Captain Allden Owles sent a letter to his family which said that Sjt Ashton died "instantly" and served "bravely". Sjt Ashton's remains were discovered during construction work for a new hospital in Lens, and DNA testing of metal ribbons led to formal Brookes said: "You always wonder about somebody who's been in the military and killed in the war, how it had happened, and hope that he'd never suffered."When the letter dropped through the door saying the Ministry of Defence found him, we were over the moon."A pocket watch found with Sjt Ashton's remains and other items have since been returned to the family, as well as a union jack flag that had been draped over his coffin. The service was organised by the MoD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, also known as the MoD War of their investigators, Alexia Clarke, said: "I think they were delighted to know in a strange kind of way."It brings closure, even after 110 years."
National Post
26-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Ben Woodfinden: King Charles III and the glorious weirdness of Canada's monarchy
When King Charles III delivers the Speech from the Throne on Tuesday, it will be only the third time in our history that a monarch has done so, with both previous times occurring under the late Queen Elizabeth II. This is Charles' first visit to Canada as monarch, and the timing is not a coincidence. U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state likely triggered the invitation from the prime minister, and will make the delivery of the speech by our sovereign and head of state all the more symbolic — a visible reminder of our unique history and distinct institutions. Article content Article content Article content But part of what makes the Crown, and all the pomp, the tightly controlled customs and conventions, and rituals around it, worth celebrating is how strikingly odd and weird it all is. This isn't a knock against the monarchy; it's a visible reminder that part of what makes our unique form of government worth preserving are all the strange idiosyncrasies that come along with it. Article content Article content During his visit, the King will journey to the Senate to deliver the speech in Canada's traditional state landau, a regal horse-drawn carriage reserved for royal and viceregal ceremonies. The grand procession will feature 28 RCMP musical ride horses, with 14 leading and 14 following, creating an impressive spectacle. Upon arrival at the Senate, the King will receive full military honours, including a 100-strong guard from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, an inspection of both the guard and the band, and a 21-gun salute. After the King arrives, the Usher of the Black Rod will be sent to summon members of Parliament to the Senate chamber. This historic role dates back to 1348. Article content Article content The spectacle is weird. Gloriously so. But more importantly, the constitutional conventions and oddities surrounding the visit are equally idiosyncratic. When Charles delivers the speech, he will be doing so in his capacity as the King of Canada. This differs from Charles' role as King of the United Kingdom. If you ever point out to people that it is incorrect to say that our head of state is the 'King of the United Kingdom,' people often reply with 'so what, he's the same person.' But this visit actually illustrates a subtle but important reason why this matters. Article content Article content Media reports have suggested that behind the scenes, there are some disagreements between the Canadian and British governments over exactly what Charles should say and do while here. Trump is a fan of the monarchy, and the British government has tried to leverage this to curry favour with Trump. During a visit to the White House in February, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hand-delivered a letter from the King to Trump inviting him for a state visit. This was while Trump was making repeated comments about making Canada the 51st state, and during the height of the tariff fight. Carney criticized this move a few weeks ago on British television.
Times
12-05-2025
- Times
First World War soldier buried 108 years after his death
A soldier who died in the First World War has been buried with full military honours nearly 108 years after he was killed in battle. Private John Tame died on August 16, 1917, during the Battle of Langemarck, and was one of three brothers who died between 1915 and 1917. After his remains were discovered during roadworks near Ypres in Belgium, the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) — also known as the War Detectives — identified him from a previous shoulder wound, a cap badge and shoulder title of the Royal Berkshire Regiment. They traced his great nephew, Keith Brooks, who provided a DNA sample to confirm his identity. He was laid to rest on May 8 in Belgium, attended by
