A hero’s funeral for veteran, 97

A D-Day veteran is to be given a hero’s send-off – after a call-out to old comrades and serving personnel.

Sydney Walsh served in the Royal Navy from 1940 to 1947 and was on tank landing ship number 162 for the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944.

He died, aged 97, at a care home in Martock, Somerset, last month and his family feared that his funeral next Friday in Yeovil would be sparsely attended.

But funeral director Stuart Foster put out a social media appeal and now a Merlin helicopter from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton is due to do a fly past.

Four standard bearers have also come forward, as well as a bugler and a motorbike escort.

Stuart said there had been “an overwhelming response” to his appeal.

He added: “Sydney served in many battles. He has an honourable display of medals for his gallant efforts for our freedom today.”