Hundreds of mourners flock to the funeral of RAF Bomber Command hero
Hundreds of mourners flock to the funeral of RAF Bomber Command hero, 96, after fears were raised that only two people would attend
- George Peter Osborne, 96, a Bomber Command Signaller during World War Two, passed away last month
- On Tuesday funeral director for the service made an appeal for the veteran to be paid the respect he deserved
- Today 350 people, many of them former and serving members of the military, responded to his call
- Mourners packed the crematorium in Southampton, Hampshire, to give Mr Osborne a fitting final send-off
Hundreds of mourners flocked to the funeral of an RAF hero today following an appeal after fears were raised that only two mourners were planning to attend.
George Peter Osborne, a Bomber Command Signaller during World War Two, passed away last month at the age of 96 with very few close family or friends.
On Tuesday the funeral director for the service made a moving appeal – which was shared thousands of times online – for the veteran to be paid the respect he deserved after his service for his country.
The hearse carrying George Peter Osborne’s coffin arrives at Southampton Crematorium where hundreds of people wait to pay their respects
George Peter Osborne (pictured in circled in red) was a Bomber Command Signaller during World War Two. After his service in the RAF he later enjoyed a lengthy career on cruise ships
Hundreds of mourners, many of whom are current or ex-military personnel, at the funeral service of George Peter Osborne
Pictured: A crowd gathers outside the entrance to Southampton Crematorium as a procession of motorbike riders leads the way down the crematorium drive ahead of the hearse carrying Mr Osborne’s coffin
Funeral director Paul Cappa bows his head in respect at the lectern as a serviceman performs the Last Post in the East Chapel
Two standard bearers head the procession as George Peter Osborne’s hearse arrives at Southampton Crematorium. On Tuesday, this week, the funeral director for the service made a moving appeal – which was shared thousands of times online – for the veteran to be paid the respect he deserved after his service for his country
George Peter Osborne (pictured left and right) was an RAF Signaller during World War Two. He was part of Bomber Command Air Crew which had a total of 126 squadrons
And today 350 people – many of them former and serving members of the military – responded to his call, packing out a crematorium in Southampton, Hampshire, to give Mr Osborne a fitting send-off despite never having met him.
Servicemen and women gave his hearse a guard of honour while mourners lined the crematorium driveway as his coffin was driven in.
The crowd was so large that many could not find seats inside.
Among the well wishers was former Sapper James Wilson, who lost both of his legs while serving in Afghanistan with the Royal Engineers.
The 36 year old from New Milton, Hampshire, said: ‘I didn’t know him, but that doesn’t matter it’s about service brotherhood.
‘He served on the battlefield like me, and although it was a different battlefield it doesn’t matter. War is war.
‘That’s why we turned up, to show our respects for another brother.
‘If I can I always try and come to show my respects for any fallen brother who might not have many friends or family.
‘Anyone who severed deserves a decent send off. It was amazing to see so many people turn up.’
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George Peter Osborne’s coffin is taken out of the hearse by pallbearers at the entrance to the East Chapel. Today 350 people – many of them former and serving members of the military – responded to his call, packing out a crematorium in Southampton, Hampshire, to give Mr Osborne a fitting send-off despite never having met him
George Peter Osborne pictured in front of the Queen Mary Ship. The Queen Mary was an ocean liner that was later converted into a troopship to transport allied soldiers. After the conflict ended it was refitted again for passenger service, before being retired from service in 1967.
Mourners bow their heads in respect as a serviceman performs the Last Post in the East Chapel. A number of military current military personnel also attended the service
George Peter Osborne in his uniform.
Two women wearing medals arrive at Southampton Crematorium to pay their respects to George Peter Osborne
According to friends, after the war Mr Osborne – who was adopted as a child – continued to serve in the RAF before enjoying a lengthy career as a waiter aboard cruise ships
Squadron Leader Tim Hayes at the Defence School of Policing and Guarding turned up with 17 other RAF service personnel in training to pay their respects.
The 45 year old, who has served in the military for 24 years, said: ‘We came today to show our respects to a military family member.
‘The armed forces is a family as far as I am concerned and that doesn’t change when you leave.
‘Paying your respects to veterans is important and something we strongly encourage to new officers, that that is the family they have just joined.
‘Anyone who has served in the military is a family, we are a community that support each other during and after they leave service.’
David Butts, 73, who served as part of the merchant navy, said it didn’t matter who you served with or when, you fought for freedom.
Mr Butts, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, said: ‘I came here today to show my respect for a man who was obviously a great and stoic man who served his country.
‘It doesn’t matter that I never knew him, I knew that he was a man of great courage and strength. Anyone who served during the second world war was a hero in my eyes.
‘It doesn’t matter which branch of the armed forces you served with, they fought for freedom and that’s all that matters.
‘And anyone willing to do that deserves a fitting send off.’
In the Facebook post, Funeral Director Paul Capper had said: ‘Dear all, I have been entrusted with the funeral arrangements of a very brave gentleman.
‘George Peter Osborne died in Southampton General Hospital on the 20th January 2019 aged 96 years. Sadly his executor died a month previously.
‘Two friends are arranging his funeral for Thursday 14th February at The East Chapel of Southampton Crematorium at 09.45hrs.
‘Whilst looking through a photograph album of his it turns out that he was, according to the RAF Museum in London, a signaller in Bomber Command Air Crew.
‘There is, so far, two people attending his funeral, is there anyone out there that could help to swell the ranks and give this brave hero who has no family a fitting send-off?’
According to friends, after the war Mr Osborne – who was adopted as a child – continued to serve in the RAF before enjoying a lengthy career as a waiter aboard cruise ships.
He never married and had no children, they said.
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