Hundreds turn out for war hero Sidney

Serving and veteran members of the Royal Air Force and other services, strangers to Sidney from all across the country as well as throughout Fylde all joined his younger brother, nephew and other relatives in saying a moving farewell to the Second World War veteran who died at his home in St Annes, aged 90.

Eight months after an appeal in the Gazette’s sister paper The Gazette prompted an attendance of more than 500 at the funeral of veteran soldier Harold Jellicoe Percival – and attracted international headlines – funeral director Eddie Jacobs made a similar plea after Sidney’s death at his home in Caryl Road, St Annes – and even more rallied round.

An estimated at 1,000 people, many who had travelled hundreds of miles, braved the dreadful weather to pay their respects to the D-Day hero and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Medal.

Nephew Trevor said: “It’s a bit overwhelming but so good of everyone to come along”, while Bill said: “I never knew Sydney had so many friends – he would have been so proud.”

FOR THE FULL STORY SEE TOMORROW’S GAZETTE