A WW2 veteran from Warrington who died home alone with no family by his side is set to be given a military send-off.
Royal Artillery Gunner Ronald Frank Melbourne, was found dead at his Latchford home last Tuesday, aged 96.
A popular character in the village, he is now set to be given a military send-off in a horse-drawn carriage, with a piper and standard bearers at his funeral on Friday, June 25th at Warrington cemetery at 10.30.
He was sadly found dead at home by neighbouring businesswoman Cheryl Rouke, who owns sunbed shop Bez Beds in the village, who contacted friend Julie Francis to help organise a military send-off for Ronald.
Julie said: “As a daughter to a late Veteran and a Mum to a Veteran I feel it is an Honour to be asked to organise a Military funeral for any other Veteran.
“It’s sad that these WW2 Veterans are passing day by day and it is a generation we are sadly losing.
“It’s the least we can do for Ronald he was a much-loved character around Latchford and loved a bet on the horses in Betfred.
“He would also often sit in Cheryl’s sunbed shop saying hello to everyone.
“We need to remember these guys fought for us and make sure they have the send-off they all deserve.”
Ronald enlisted in the Royal Artillery aged 19 in March 1943 joining 227 Trg Regt RA (anti-aircraft) (Dvr) and served overseas for three years, serving in the army until 1948.
He will be given a military send-off with the horse and carriage leaving Reynolds St where he lived at around 9.50am.
