Who cares enough to attend lonely ex-Bootie's funeral?

[Naval_Gazer]

Let's be having you.

Strangers rally to honour ex-Marine Jimmy
​

James ‘Jimmy’ McConnell died of a chest infection after living out his last days at the Bluebell Care Home in Southsea. With no known relatives to give him a good send-off, he faced a lonely burial and care home staff feared the ex-marine would be buried with nobody but them in attendance...

Little is known about Mr McConnell’s life or about his career in the armed forces. He was referred to the Southsea care home by social services and arrived with his green beret, medals, and photographs of the Falkland Islands. He had recently suffered a stroke which affected his ability to speak.

The graveside service will be held at 9.30am on Thursday at the Milton Cemetery, in Milton Road, Portsmouth...

 

[Taffd]

It would be nice to see one of the Commando units offer a military funeral.

 

[scouse]

Be nice if someone could find out about his service in the RM, before Thursday, and say something about it at the service

 

[WreckerL]

There's a few on the ROMFT site going.

 

[Sharkey]

Hope he gets a good send off and if there is a turn out I wouldnt be surprised if it made the press again, maybe some details of his life and times too

 

[Rachelthree]

i would have gone for a cuppa and some cake while he was still with us, seems a shame that only in parting is it acknowledged he was lonely! Im going to try and make it down, i know this has been circulating a lot in pompey and some serving are aware

 

[janner]

Quite right and censored by me.

 

[flymo]

JANNER ! Wrong time, wrong place

 

[0G1N]

Lets hope he gets a good send off shame he faces lonely burial not nice

 

[Rachelthree]

JANNER ! Wrong time, wrong place

Yeah, i had a witty reply but felt it an innapropriate thread to post it on

 

[xchiefcook]

Let's be having you.http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/strangers-rally-to-honour-ex-marine-jimmy-1-4802832

Strangers rally to honour ex-Marine Jimmy ​

Having just read pompey news online this morning, it looks like Jimmy is going to get a good turn out, with serving and ex serving members attending R.I.P Jimmy

 

[Rover]

Hundreds turn out for funeral of Royal Marine after Facebook plea - ITV News

Family.

 

[soleil]

Hundreds honour ex-Marine Jimmy at funeral - Local - Portsmouth News

 

[WreckerL]

Excellent!!, got a bit of dust in my eye at the moment!!!

 

[Sharkey]

Excellent!!, got a bit of dust in my eye at the moment!!!

Bit dusty here too, well done to the Booties and all who attended

 

[wal]

The smoke is irritating my eyes here also.

 

[trelawney126]

It's nice to see that the extended family came through BZ

 

[tentoes]

Good to see, however there are RMA branches across the country, including a National branch. there is no reason to be a "lonely ex-Bootie" (even a former one) unless you wish to be. RMA members will turn out for all members funerals, booted, suited and normally with a few words about the departed.

That said it all ended well. BZ to all who turned out.

 

[frogman007]

Excellent. BZ to all. RIP in peace Jimmy.

 

[Waspie]

RIP Royal and am so proud of the folk who attended to say farewell to a fellow serviceman.