Veterans have given a "fitting send-off" to a "lovely gentleman" who served in the armed forces. Derek Thompson, who was a member of The Crown Veterans Breakfast Club in Bury, died aged 92 on Monday, August 26 following a two-year battle with cancer. Unfortunately, little is known about Derek’s military service but he was very well liked by those who knew him.
Following his death, the Borough Of Bury Veterans Association and The Crown Veterans Breakfast Club asked veterans and civilians to attend his funeral, as Derek, who lived on Stephen Street in Bury, was survived by nobody. And yesterday, Monday, Derek's funeral took place at East Lancashire Crematorium in Radcliffe, where around 100 people, including veterans and neighbours, paid their respects. Ex-servicemen, dressed in their uniforms showcasing their medals, acted as pallbearers, a bugler performed and a veteran led the cortege on a motorbike from Co-op Funeralcare on Silver Street in Bury to the crematorium.
Derek's coffin was draped in a Union Jack flag, standards were on display and a "beautiful" wreath of flowers was donated by a florist from Heywood. Wilma McCarrick, a close friend of Derek’s and a member of The Crown Veteran’s Breakfast Club was in attendance. She said: "The day went really well.
"The celebrant gave a beautiful ceremony. She met Derek after leading the service for his wife Pam who died last year so she already knew about his life. "The funeral was such a fitting tribute to a lovely gentlem.