AFTER a request yesterday from Bob Sankey, Secretary of the Romsey Branch of the Royal Air Force Association, I attended the funeral at the crematorium.

Like most of the people who attended, I had never met or heard of George Peter Osborne before.

I am sure everyone present was astounded by the fantastic turnout. There must have been nearly 200 people paying their respects.

I saw Navy, Army and RAF personnel as well as many other organisations including The British Legion, RAFA, and about 20 motorcyclists- all to pay tribute to a man they didn’t know.

It was an emotional service with so many individual stories, which included a short film about George’s life, and ended with full military honours...so well deserved.

I am sure bomber command would be extremely proud of their 96-year-old veteran, a signaller on Lancaster bombers during WW2 and other aircraft.

Many thanks and congratulations also should be given to Paul Capper, the funeral director, without whose enthusiasm and realisation of the importance of George’s sad death, would not have resulted in such a brilliant send off.

Flt.Lt.Clive Strickland. RAF VR(T) ret’d

Chairman.. 424 ( City of Southampton) Squadron, Air Training Corps.