Appeal for veteran to get big send-off
AN appeal has been made for a standard bearer to turn out to support the funeral of a proud veteran.
Accrington born and bred Leonard South, who was in the Royal Artillery from 1952 to 1961, was a huge military enthusiast, and his family want to give him the send-off he deserves.
A funeral cortege will leave Len’s home on Broadfield Road at 9.15am on Tuesday, October 6 before a service at St John’s Church.
The great-grandad, who was a long-serving former concert secretary at Willow Mount Working Men’s Club, passed away on Tuesday, September 22, aged 82, after a brave fight against cancer. He leaves family including three children, three step-children and a son-in-law.
His wife of 23 years Jean said while the funeral service is limited by Covid restrictions, she would love to see veterans turn out to safely pay their respects.
“Anything whatsoever would be great,” she said. “I can almost hear him saying ‘this is what I wanted’. Anything with any military ceremony involved, he was absolutely in his element.
“We used to go across to the memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. And I used to get sick of watching the military tattoo!
Jean, 65, used to run a shop in Great Harwood called Jean’s Military Memories, and said “gentleman” Len had been a popular and well-known customer both there and at Accrington Market, where she also used to have a stall.
“He loved it down there, and that’s where we met,” she said. “He loved books and used to go down the flea market every Thursday. He came and chatted me up, and the rest is history.
“I was very honoured to be his wife for as long as I was. I haven’t had a single bad word said about him; nobody could ever have said anything else.
“I’ve had such support from everybody - the military, family and friends.
“The amount of support I’ve been getting has been nothing short of unreal.”
Helping Jean to organise the funeral proceedings is Julie Francis, who was put in touch with her about arranging a vets’ funeral.
“We need vets and standard bearers,” said Julie, who will be travelling over from Warrington.
“Obviously the social distancing all comes into play. I know people will be wary because of Covid, but as a veteran he deserves a send-off.”
Julie said the church and crematorium will be limited to close friends and family only, but they would love a standard bearer to lead the coffin - which will be draped in a Union flag - into the church service.
She said the Royal British Legion have also donated a poppy wreath for the occasion.
See obituary on p10.