Hundreds of mourners to gather for official RAF funeral of WW2 hero Peter Brown
HUNDREDS of mourners will gather today for the official RAF funeral of WW2 hero Peter Brown.
They answered a Sun appeal to remember the veteran after he died alone aged 96 last December, with no known relatives.
So many wanted to pay respects that his funeral in March was postponed to find a larger venue.
It was due to take place this morning at the RAF church of St Clement Danes in Westminster.
Long-lost cousin Brooke Alexander, 31, has flown in to attend among 500 mourners including representatives of the Armed Forces and the Jamaican High Commission.
Lancaster bomber radio operator Peter came to the UK from Jamaica as a teenager and was one of the last of those who came to be remembered as the “Pilots of the Caribbean”.
The funeral service will be followed by a private committal from his friends, neighbours and relatives.
A memorial plaque is also to be installed on his favourite bench near his home in Maida Vale, West London.
Phil Turvey, of Anglia Research Services — which helped find Peter’s family — said: “We’re so pleased with this result.
“Peter’s family in Jamaica will now be able to attend his funeral and pay their respects along with so many others”