No one to attend RAF Veteran's funeral

[perry]

An obituary was placed in England for a 99 year old RAF veteran, Harold Jellicoe Percival, that died as a single man and had children to attend his funeral. The funeral home asked for anyone available to attend and spread the word via social media.

Call to remember Fylde war hero - Blackpool Gazette

A notice posted in The Gazette’s sister paper the Lytham St Annes Express said: “A single man, Harold has no close family who can attend his funeral.
“He served in RAF Bomber Command as ground crew during the Second World War.
“Any service personnel who can attend his funeral service would be appreciated.”

So, today, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, hundreds of people showed up to pay their respects to the man, many having to stand outside in the rain due to the size of the chapel.

BBC News - Hundreds attend war veteran's funeral after newspaper ad

Harold Jellicoe Percival: Strangers pack "solitary" U.K. WWII vet's funeral - CBS News

The Rev. Alan Clark, who led the funeral service, said: "You have come in numbers surpassing anything that was expected, not because you knew him, but because each of us has a common humanity."

 

[halfmileharry]

There are still a lot of people that respect honor and tradition.

 

[9mmfan]

Just saw this on the nightly news. Very inspiring.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

That's great.

 

[2ADMNLOVER]

To Mr. Percival and those like him , .

 

[red_zr24x4]

Damn, thats twice tonight I've gotten something in my eyes...