Funeral appeal for WW2 paratrooper Herbert 'Herbie' Samuel Bray

A family is appealing for people to attend the funeral of a Cornwall man who was thought to be one of the last-surviving World War Two paratroopers.

Herbert "Herbie" Samuel Bray, from Mullion, died recently aged 97.

His grandson, Jordan Jane, described the veteran as a "remarkable man" whose life "served the country".

Mr Jane said serving and former personnel attending the funeral were invited to wear uniforms and medals.

Mr Bray joined the war in 1944 aged 18, serving at the Rhine crossing and then in Palestine as a paratrooper.

Mr Jane said his grandfather became a paratrooper because it "paid a little extra and he wanted to send it home to his mum".

He later went on to captain Mullion Football Club after returning home from service. He lived in Mullion most of his life.

Mr Jane said: "As one of the last surviving paratroopers to have served in the Second World War, we invite anyone to come to the procession and funeral to pay their respect to a remarkable man.

"Anyone who is military or ex-military is invited to wear their uniform and/or medals in honour of Herbie's life served to the country."

The funeral will take place at Mullion Parish Church at 11:00 GMT on 7 November after a procession through the village beginning 10:45.

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