A heartfelt public appeal has been launched urging people to attend the funeral of John Thomas Gray, a 91-year-old RAF veteran who died with no surviving family members in South Shields.
Mr Gray, originally from Boldon Colliery, passed away on 3 August, leaving behind only a few photographs among his possessions and no relatives to mourn his passing.
His funeral will take place at 9am on Wednesday, 3 September, at South Shields Crematorium, with organisers desperately seeking members of the public to ensure the veteran does not make his final journey alone.
Despite Mr Gray’s service in the Royal Air Force, no standard bearer or bugler has been made available for the service, adding to the poignancy of the situation. The Royal British Legion has stated they are unable to assist without Mr Gray’s regimental number, leaving organisers to make urgent appeals for support.
Richard Dalton Funerals and organiser Tracy Curren are spearheading the campaign to ensure Mr Gray receives a fitting send-off. They have issued a special appeal for anyone who can act as a standard bearer, particularly from the RAF, or a bugler to come forward.
“No veteran should go on his final journey alone,” organisers stressed in their appeal, describing the circumstances as deeply sad.
The situation echoes similar cases across the UK where veterans have died without family, prompting public appeals that have often resulted in overwhelming responses from communities wanting to pay their respects.
In recent years, several RAF veterans have received fitting farewells thanks to public appeals. In 2023, more than 600 people attended the service of Flight Sergeant Peter Brown, one of the last Black RAF Second World War veterans, at St Clement Danes Church in Westminster after he died alone in his Maida Vale flat.
Similarly, in 2019, Harold ‘Lee’ Tracey received a military funeral with 30 serving personnel from RAF Shawbury forming a guard of honour after the RAF Association intervened to prevent him having a pauper’s funeral in Shrewsbury.
In 2018, Kenneth White, an 84-year-old RAF veteran who died with no known family in Cambridgeshire, saw more than 100 people attend his funeral following a social media campaign by Veterans Honoured.
The Royal Air Forces Association has confirmed that whilst they cannot provide guards of honour, requests for standard bearers and buglers can be made through local RAF Association branches where available.
According to guidance from the RAF Association, serving members’ coffins can be draped in the Union Flag, and RAF Association branded coffin drapes may be available upon request. However, the RAF Badge symbol can only be used on headstones for serving personnel where the government is responsible for maintenance.
Tracy Curren, helping to organise Mr Gray’s funeral, emphasised the importance of community support: “We are calling on anyone who knew John, or simply wants to pay their respects to a veteran, to attend the service. Ex-service personnel and members of the public are all warmly invited.”
The appeal highlights ongoing concerns about veterans dying without family or support networks. Various military charities work to prevent such situations, but cases like Mr Gray’s demonstrate that some veterans still slip through the safety net.
The Royal British Legion, whilst unable to assist without Mr Gray’s service number, regularly provides support for veterans’ funerals where documentation is available. They can offer advice on financial assistance and help coordinate military honours where appropriate.
Local RAF Association branches often step in to ensure veterans receive appropriate recognition, providing standard bearers and coordinating with serving personnel where possible. However, the lack of service records can complicate these efforts.
For those wishing to attend Mr Gray’s funeral, the details are:
- Date: Wednesday, 3 September
- Time: 9:00 am
- Venue: South Shields Crematorium
Anyone who can provide support as a standard bearer or bugler is urged to contact Richard Dalton Funerals on 0191 7070770 or Tracy Curren directly.
The appeal serves as a reminder of the debt owed to those who served their country and the importance of ensuring no veteran is forgotten in death. Previous public responses to similar appeals have shown the British public’s deep respect for military service and willingness to honour those who served.
Organisers hope the community will rally to give Mr Gray the dignified farewell he deserves, demonstrating that whilst he may have had no family, he was not without a grateful nation ready to pay their respects.
As one organiser poignantly stated: “John served his country, and now we’re asking the country to serve him by ensuring he’s not alone on his final journey.”
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