Hundreds turn out for funeral of army veteran who died aged 81 with no relatives

George Formstone, a former Royal Welch Fusilier died aged 81 alone at his home in Ruabon, Wales on January 9.

With no one to organise his funeral, Mr Formstone was not expected to receive a traditional military service.

But the local community rallied round to ensure the veteran received a ceremony befitting his service to the nation.

Mr Formstone is understood to have served with the 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers in Cyprus during the EOKA Emergency in the late 1950’s.

Peter McGivern, the landlord at the Bridge End Inn, Ruabon — where Mr Formstone was a local — felt it was important that he should be buried with full military honours.

An online appeal urging old comrades to attend was launched and Mr McGivern set about organising the funeral.

Pentre Broughton funeral directors, Roberts Bros and Des Williams, assistant regional secretary for the Royal Welch Fusiliers organised for the coffin to be draped in the Union Jack flag.

He was a loner, but he wasn't lonely.

The Last Post was played as his coffin was lowered into the ground.

Those who knew Mr Formstone attended the funeral at Plas Acton Cemetery at 10.30am this morning.

A wake, organised by Mr McGivern, took place at the Bridge End Inn following the burial.

Mr McGivern, who read a eulogy at the funeral, described Mr Formstone as a "good man".

He said: "He was a loner, but he wasn't lonely. He had a wide circle of friends and angling was his life. He was part of the Prince Albert Angling Society for over 30 years.

"He was a very independent and private man who would talk and listen to others. He had a great rapport with our bar staff and he was always very kind and helpful.

"He didn't have a television but he listened to his radio regularly and he was a huge Leeds fan.

"He was a good man I really liked him and we were his family for the last ten years or so."

Born on October 5, 1937, Mr Formstone, is understood to have grown up in Hope, Flintshire, before leaving home at the age of 14.

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