The family of a Dunkirk veteran is calling on his hometown to give him a farewell fit for a hero after he died at 100.
Covid-19 restrictions mean Fred Willans will have just 10 mourners at his funeral. So his loved ones hope the people of Darlington, Co Durham will show their support as he makes his final journey.
His sister-in-law Audrey Willans, 83, who cared for him for 17 years after his wife Kathy died, said: "I was so proud of Fred, I moved house to look after him.
"There are 10 people allowed at the funeral so not even all his family can be there."
Her son Trevor, 57, added: "It would be nice if people could stand and salute him, it is a shame we cannot give him the send off he deserves.
"He developed pneumonia, and died on St George's Day, very appropriate for an old soldier.
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"His funeral is three days before VE Day, so it is poignant given his war record."
The Last Post will be played at the service on Monday (May 4). Fred got out of a WWII prisoner of war camp alive and survived Dunkirk.
Born on August 12, 1919, he vividly recalled his days serving his country. At just 17, he joined the 50th Northumbrian motorised division in 1937.
The division was mobilised in September 1939, as soon as war was declared.
He was soon sent to help those on the frontline, and ended up as a PoW in Italy. When a guard told him he was about to be shipped out to a Nazi camp, he told his comrades: "I am not bloody going to Germany!"
On his return to the UK, he was given time off duty to marry his childhood sweetheart Kathleen.
Fred marked his 100th birthday last year with Trevor's grandson Jimmy Hanlon, then aged four, and celebrated with a special cake.
He kept fit even after retirement, taking part in the London Marathon twice, and the Great North Run, and did not give up on running until his mid 80s.
His funeral takes place at Darlington's crematorium at 2.15pm on Monday, leaving his home in Yiewsley Drive around 1.50pm.
