Hundreds of strangers turned out to give an RAF veteran a fitting send off after he died with no family or friends to attend his funeral.
In a display of patriotic pride, about 600 mourners came together on Wednesday to mark the death of John Thomas Gray, who died last month aged 91.
The huge community response followed a heartfelt plea on social media for people to honour the hero retired serviceman, from Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, issued by funeral director Richard Dalton.
Ex-servicemen and members of the public, some of whom had travelled from as far away as London, braved the pouring rain at South Shields Crematorium.
So many people turned up that there wasn’t enough room in the chapel for the congregation, and many were forced to stand outside.
Former RAF veteran Gary Richardson is chairman of the Royal British Legion branch in Seaham, County Durham and was blown away by the turnout.
The 70-year-old who served between 1971 and 1982, said: ‘We saw the information on Facebook at first and it was a no brainer – we had to be here.
‘When the military family comes together it’s brilliant. We do these things automatically and you don’t even have to think about it.
About 600 mourners turned out to mark the death of John Thomas Gray, who died last month aged 91
Veterans from across the military rallied to give a fitting send off to the former serviceman, whose casket was draped patriotically with the Union flag and a bouquet of red roses
So many people turned up to the funeral, that the chapel was unable to fit everyone inside (pictured are standard bearers leading the procession to the crematorium)
‘There were a few members of our branch here and I feel very proud. It is poignant for me that John was in the air force but it doesn’t make much difference where he served.’
A total of 19 standard-bearers including veterans from the army, navy and RAF gathered to pay their respects.
Around 20 bikers also followed Mr Dalton’s hearse, including riders who served in the British Army.
Both sides of the road were filled with onlookers as the procession made its way into the crematorium, with Mr Dalton’s casket draped with a Union flag and red roses.
A short eulogy was read which described John as a keen traveller but also a devoted son to his mother Francis.
In his later years he lived at Sycamore Care Home in Boldon, where he enjoyed following the racing and eating raspberry rolls.
A piece of music specially composed for John was also played, paying tribute to his military service.
My Way by Frank Sinatra echoed around the crematorium while the soundtrack to John’s favourite show Only Fools And Horses was played at the end.
Around 20 bikers also followed Mr Gray’s hearse, including riders who served in the army
Hundreds of people paid their respects to the RAF hero, who died last month without any surviving friends or relatives
