Hundreds set to honour war hero Sidney

The Gazette revealed last week war hero Sidney Marshall, 90, of Caryl Road, St Annes, died with no family living locally.

His wife Elizabeth died last year.

Mr Marshall (pictured), who served in 9 Squadron as a mid-upper gunner, took part in 28 sorties across Germany during the Second World War

After undertaker Eddie Jacobs, of Fylde funeral directors Roland Whitehead and Daughter, urged soldiers past and present to attend the ceremony tomorrow at Lytham Crematorium at 1.30pm, veterans have promised to turn out in force to honour the brave airman.

Coun Ed Nash, Fylde Council Armed Forces member, said: “I have spoken with standard bearers and they are all coming down.

“I’ve even been contacted by a sergeant from an RAF station in Suffolk who wants to bring men up on Friday. There will be a pretty good turnout with people travelling from all over the UK for the service.”

Darrell Slater-Smith, northern area director for the RAF Association, said: “We are trying to encourage as many people as possible to attend Sidney’s funeral.”