A GUARD of honour was observed as friends and family said goodbye to a royal Marine who was “dedicated to the core.”

Victor Craddock, a proud “proper cockney” died at Basingstoke hospital on March 25, 2018 at the age of 92.

Known as Vic to his family and friends, was given a guard of honour when relatives and loved ones said a final farewell on Thursday, 19 April at Basingstoke Crematorium.

Before the ceremony a Chinook from RAF Odiham did a flyby over the crematorium.

As his coffin entered the chapel of rest it was draped in the union jack flag, with four military standard bearers walking in with him.

Born in Old street, London Nick Parks who read the eulogy said he was a “very proud to be a “proper cockney” and that his favourite word was mate.

The Old Basing resident joined the marines aged 18, servicing in World War Two as a Fleet Marine aboard the HMS Newfoundland as the rear gunner.

He was awarded the Coveted Green Beret and became a Royal Marine Commando in 1946, where he joined 3 Commando Brigade fighting in India, China, Japan, Malaya, France, Germany and Korea.

He also served with 44 Commando.

Rather than returning to England Vic joined the 41 Ind Commando were then dispatched to Korea serving under the Famous World War Two General McArthur, it was here Vic earned the reputation as a war hero as one of the 235 Brits who saved 12,000 America soldiers.

Vic left the Royal Marines in 1954 after serving 10 years and falling from a window in Malta.

He continued to work until he was 89-years-old and only stopped driving at 92.

Ever the very proud Marine, Vic was a lifelong member of the Royal Marine Association (RMA), the Royal Navy Association (RNA) and the Royal British Legion, he was also the last serving Chairman of both the Basingstoke branches of the RMA and the RNA.