Hundreds turn out for funeral of 100-year-old RAF veteran with no family
Oswald Dixon died at a care home last month in Salford, Greater Manchester, where he spent the last four years of his life.
The wreath dedicated to former RAF servicemen Oswald Dixon, 100, who had no relatives in the UK (Image: PA)
ByCharlotte Dobson
9 Oct 2019
Hundreds of people turned out for the funeral of a 100-year-old RAF veteran believed to have no family.
Oswald Dixon died last month in Salford, Greater Manchester, where he spent the last four years of his life.
Little was known about the Jamaican national, who passed away peacefully at Broughton House - a care home for veterans.
Concerned he had no family members in the UK, staff invited the public to pay their respects at his funeral.
Moved by the care home's call, hundreds of people rallied to salute Mr Dixon at Agecroft Crematorium.
The rain poured but fellow veterans and current servicemen and women stood firm as they waited to salute Mr Dixon.
Mr Dixon's casket being carried from a hearse at Agecroft Cemetery & Crematorium Pendlebury, Manchester ( Image: Manchester Evening News)
Members of the public gather as the decorated coffin of former RAF serviceman Oswald Dixon, 100, arrives at Agecroft Crematorium.
Serving members of 34 squadron RAF Regiment and RAF Cadets formed a guard of honour as the coffin was carried into the packed chapel, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Strangers who'd travelled from as far Birmingham and London wept together as tributes were paid to the veteran.
Fellow residents and staff from Broughton House were among the congregation.
Mr Dixon - known as 'Ossie' - made Manchester his home after leaving Jamaica to serve during the Second World War.
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The following ex-service personnel who were either members, or friends of members, have sadly passed away in recent years.
May their souls rest in peace.
George Fraser 2005
Dave (Motley) Mclean
Frank Nanton 2001
KNOXIE KIRNON 2012
Stan Bean 2007
Sandy Salmond
Eddie (Bett) Lynch 2007
Vic Bynoe 2012
Gill (Banner) Waldron 2014
CONRAD (Spider) CLARKE:
Dennis Gentles
Lerel (Lee) Mcdonald 30th Nov 2019
Neville Meade 2010
Phillis Hilton
Lester Robinson
Nobby Clarke (2012)
Peter Blackwood
Lloyd Douglas (2013)
Sherry McPherson (2013
Pete Assing (2014)
Calvin Lambert (2014)
Vic Nurse
Winton Cumberbatch (Willow)
Cynthia Waterman 2015
Steve (Babbs) Sandiford - The legend of Kick Boxing 27 April 2016 - https://www.facebook.com/steve.babbs.90
Sam King - 20/06/16. First black mayor of Southwark http://www.southlondon-today.co.uk/article.cfm?i
The following ex-service personnel who were either members, or friends of members, have sadly passed away in recent years.
May their souls rest in peace.
George Fraser 2005
Dave (Motley) Mclean
Frank Nanton 2001
KNOXIE KIRNON 2012
Stan Bean 2007
Sandy Salmond
Eddie (Bett) Lynch 2007
Vic Bynoe 2012
Gill (Banner) Waldron 2014
CONRAD (Spider) CLARKE:
Dennis Gentles
Lerel (Lee) Mcdonald 30th Nov 2019
Neville Meade 2010
Phillis Hilton
Lester Robinson
Nobby Clarke (2012)
Peter Blackwood
Lloyd Douglas (2013)
Sherry McPherson (2013
Pete Assing (2014)
Calvin Lambert (2014)
Vic Nurse
Winton Cumberbatch (Willow)
Cynthia Waterman 2015
Steve (Babbs) Sandiford - The legend of Kick Boxing 27 April 2016 - https://www.facebook.com/steve.babbs.90
Sam King - 20/06/16. First black mayor of Southwark http://www.southlondon-today.co.uk/article.cfm?i
Roy Nunes (ex-DJ Rasputin) , 'The Monk' 27th November 2016
Carleon Broome - 7th march 2017
charlie Booker - 4 April 2017
Reg Tudor Ex-RAF, June 2017
Ralph Curtis - EX-RAF, August 2017
Vince Collymore, Ex-RAF, Sept 2017
Earle (nobby) Clarke Sep 2017
Peter Kerr, ex RAF Dec 2017.
Gregory (Legs) Marshall ex-Fusilier, 9 Jan 2018
Harry Lucas ex RAF
Tony Lewis Ex-RAF 10 June 2022
Winston Alleyne ex RAF Regiment October 2020
Don Gooding June 2021
Owen (Nobby) Grant ex Royal Navy 12th November 2020
Oswald (Ossie) Dixon ex-RAF- Age 100, passed away 23 September, Manchester, England. No known relatives
Harvey Mckenzie, one of our founder members passed away peacefully on the 2nd January 2022. May he rest in peace.
Hundreds Turn Out For Legend ‘King Lee’
The tragic death of Lerel – Lee – McDonald “encompassed a united community”, as was said by Officiating Minister, Bishop Dr Derek Webley, as a packed New Testament Church of God Handsworth paid homage to “a true soldier of perpetual bravery”. That came from resident Senior Pastor, Bishop Deverton Douglas. And that would prove to be just the start of an overwhelming line of tributes that would be paid to ‘a man of the people’ and ‘soul of the community’. As W.A.W.I. (Why Are West Indians) Standard flag-bearers and a military piper led the former soldier into a hugely solemn and emotional church, it proved to be too much for too many – family, former colleagues and friends – as the loss of a true friend, to all who knew him, really began to sink in. Always dressed to impress – no matter what, or where, the occasion – the vast numbers who turned up was testament of exactly what he meant to those who knew him. “His life left so many memories that were too beautiful to forget”, said cousin, Sonia Powell. Serving in the Royal Fusiliers (from 1964 – 1974) and being stationed in places that include Borneo, Germany and Northern Ireland, Lee’s outstanding tenure in the forces would keep him in good stead for the life he led on ‘Civvy Street’; Kindness, after all, was his raisin d’etre; “It’s difficult to find the words to describe his importance to me, the family and his community”, said another cousin, Christine. “He was a cheeky fellow who had class. “Sharp like a blade, when it comes to dress”, she said, “He lived a life that transformed everyone and everything”. |
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