Acle relatives' farewell to war veteran

ACLE relatives of first world war veteran Henry Allingham man were in the congregation for his funeral in Brighton on Thursday.Nephew Ronald Cator, 75 and his wife Shirley, 67 attended the service at the town's St Nicholas Church for Mr Allingham, who died aged 113.

ACLE relatives of first world war veteran Henry Allingham man were in the congregation for his funeral in Brighton on Thursday.

Nephew Ronald Cator, 75 and his wife Shirley, 67 attended the service at the town's St Nicholas Church for Mr Allingham, who died aged 113.

The couple, who live in St Edmund's Road, were among 24 relatives transported from St Dunstan's care home, where the centenarian spent his final days, to the church in six limousines.

Mr Cator said thousands of wellwishers lined the route to pay their respects to the former serviceman, who was based in Great Yarmouth for two years while with the Royal Naval Air Service. Traffic in Brighton town centre came to a standstill.

Relatives and servicemen read speeches at the service, attended by 200 people, while the hymns Praise My Soul the King of Heaven and Loves Redeeming Work is Done were among those sung.

Following the service, there was a flypast of the church by first world war planes. A wake was held at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

Mr Cator said: “There were thousands of people all along the coast roads. The centre of Brighton came to a standstill. It was fantastic, you had to be there to see it. It was a wonderful send off.”