Another RAF veteran passes away with no family or friends to attend his funeral

[ricardian]

From the RAFA website: (http://www.rafa.org.uk/What-we-do/News/RAF-veteran-passes-away-with-no-family-or-friends-to-attend-his-funeral)

Sadly another RAF veteran has passed away with no family or friends to attend his funeral. The gentleman was adopted with no brothers and sisters, never married or had children.
It is believed that Mr George Anthony Crossland served in Fighter Squadron 33 and served from 1960 to 1965. The funeral will take place on Thursday 25th September 2014, 10:20 at Warrington Crematorium, Chester Road, Walton, Warrington, WA4 6TB.
The Burtonwood and Warrington branch of the RAF Assocation will be showing their support and we are encouraging anyone in the area to attend to pay their respects.

[Typhoon93]

It's a shame. :(

RIP, Sir.

[Whenurhappy]

Fighter Squadron 33

Did he serve with the USAF, by any chance?

[Boudreaux Bob]

Here in the United States, we have an organization that is dedicated to ensuring Veterans with no Next of Kin, receive a proper burial and are not left alone when they are buried.

Of all the projects and programs I am associated with.....this one really gives me a real sense of satisfaction.

Seeing people and groups of all kinds coming together to honor a Veteran of our Military in this manner is something that is worth every bit of time and effort that goes into it.

A few weeks back I rode in a Motorcycle escort for 16 Veterans, along with about 400 other Bikers along a route of about Two Hundred Miles. When we arrived at the National Cemetery for the Funerals that were done with full Military Honors performed by National Guard and Active Duty Military personnel.....those being buried were not alone. Their Brothers and Sisters from their Military Family were there to render a Hand Salute, Hear the Rifle Salute fired, and Stand at Attention and render a hand Salute while Taps was sounded.

That is as it should be.


Locate, Identify and Inter - Missing in America Project (http://www.miap.us)

[sharpend]

Bob, even today the US looks after its Vets much more than the UK does. My father died in 1984 after serving in the RAF for 31 years (and all thro WW2, being decorated for gallantry). Despite me (as a serving RAF officer) informing the RAF of his passing, no one was interested.

[thing]

Bob, even today the US looks after its Vets much more than the UK does.

Very true. There's certainly a feeling of 'Yeah, you did 22 years, so what? You got paid didn't you?' in the UK. Very little respect given (if any) to ex servicemen here except amongst ourselves. When I was doing the Aviano detatchments back in the 90's the USAF transports used to come in regularly with some elderley folk on board. They were US vets who could travel for peanuts and have a cheap holiday in Italy.

[NutLoose]

Very true. There's certainly a feeling of 'Yeah, you did 22 years, so what? You got paid didn't you?' in the UK. Very little respect given (if any) to ex servicemen here except amongst ourselves. When I was doing the Aviano detatchments back in the 90's the USAF transports used to come in regularly with some elderley folk on board. They were US vets who could travel for peanuts and have a cheap holiday in Italy.

Could you imagine that in the RAF, there's your butty box, if you squeeze past the freight you'll find a seat down the back of the Herc somewhere.

[thing]

Could you imagine that in the RAF, there's your butty box, if you squeeze past the freight you'll find a seat down the back of the Herc somewhere.

And here's some kimwipe to put on your head in case it rains.

[ShyTorque]

My experience of leaving the RAF, in the official sense was "Hand back your kit, give back your ID card and your car pass, get off the station, you are now officially a security risk, don't come back".

I don't expect any military participation at my funeral.

[thing]

"Hand back your kit, give back your ID card and your car pass, get off the station, you are now officially a security risk, don't come back".


Similar experience for me, countered only by checking my bank balance at a hole in the wall outside Sainsburys a few days later and walking around the store with a grin like a Cheshire cat.

[Davita]

Most retirees in civil jobs are gifted a watch on retirement...RAF aircrew have to return theirs...:sad:

[Hangarshuffle]

Is it your or you're? Whichever, you are in it. The very fact that someone took the trouble (Ricardian) on here put this bit of random, if trivial news up one day ago and already there is a general feeling of sorrow for the poor deceased chap.
If you were in the RAF and are now long out, there are still people who were likewise, and will show an interest. You are in an exclusive club. I bet quite a few people now show up at Mr Crossland's funeral.
Yes its tough the day you go out the door, but so what? Its just the nature of the club, equally hard and soft, you all know that.


Granted the Americans are good at looking after their people, a lot of others are to. I've slowly come to realise our attitude reflects our British nature and class system I'm afraid. T'was ever thus.




' = apologies in advance to the Apostrophe Protection Society on this one.

[TheWizard]

After some detective work and speaking to the RAFA Welfare Officer for the North West, it turns out that Mr Crossland either served or had a very strong connection with 3(F) Sqn.

The story I was told is a very sad one in so much as Mr Crossland died alone in his house which was in a state of disrepair when the Environmental Health people were called in. The only thing that was lovingly protected and hanging up in a cover was his RAF blazer with the 3(F) badge on it.

If any of the Coningsby or Fighter chaps can spread the word I am sure the gesture would be appreciated as according to the authorities he has no known surviving relatives and few friends.

The funeral will take place on Thursday 25th September 2014, 10:20 at Warrington Crematorium, Chester Road, Walton, Warrington, WA4 6TB.

RIP George Crossland

[Two's in]

It's been mentioned several times before, but a far more worthy system would be one where former service people don't actually live and die alone in the first place, rather than one that can generate a good turnout at a funeral. That said, never forget everyone has a right to be an old curmudgeon if they choose, and some choose.

[Boudreaux Bob]

Seems many are concerned about "getting" and not "giving".

The "giving" part is what makes you the better person as it reminds One that you value something that is larger than yourself.

The Deceased knows nothing of what you do and as there are no Next of Kin to be appreciative of your actions, it gets down to those who participate in these things knowing there are others in Life who place a unique value upon their Military service and that of others.

Showing Honor and Respect to a complete stranger, but a person who shared your Service in the Military, is the least we can do especially at that last final act of their Life.

I have always come away from such things feeling a bit better for the experience.

I always got as more than I gave when I did.



Two,

You are exactly right. That is why we place so much value upon working with Veteran's Charities and other Veterans Out Reach efforts.

My one Chapter of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) raises $40,000 a year for Veteran's Charities and participate in the Patriot Guard Riders Funeral Escort program along with many other efforts throughout the Year.

Back during the Government Shutdown where Obama ordered the War Memorials Barrycaded......a few Hundred Thousand of Us went to Washington DC and removed the Barrycades and assisted WWII Veterans in visiting their Memorial. We then removed those Barrycades from the Vietnam Memorial and carried them to the White House for his inspection.

In my State we have 764,384 Veterans amongst the Population making us 12% of the Total Population. 573,472 served in Combat or Combat Areas.

Simply put....there are a lot of Us!

[Tankertrashnav]

I tend to go along with Hangarshuffle on this. Sure I'm proud of my 12 year's service, but like the majority of us in what we call "peacetime" I got through unscathed. I dont expect any special treatment, like ex-service discounts, etc, and I dont want people saying to me "thank you for your service" - no thanks are required. I volunteered, did the job, got paid, end of.

It is of course perfectly right that those did suffer as a result of their service should be well looked after, including the many who have such disorders as post-traumatic stress which have been sadly neglected in the past, but that apart, I don't see that most of us deserve any special treatment. Mrs TTN, who spent over 40 years as an overworked and underpaid midwife gets no such treatment - why should I expect it?

I'll be pleased if a big crowd turns up at Mr Crossland's funeral, but on the same day there will be scores of funerals of people who may have led equally productive lives whose deaths will go unremarked and unmourned.

(btw Hangarshuffle, in that instance it's you're ;))

[Brian W May]

Tankertrashnav

Yep. Works for me. I go regularly onto a (mainly) American guitar website, and find it almost nauseating with the 'thank you for your service' platitudes.

That said, I have no reason to believe it's not meant sincerely, however it makes me shudder.

I've nearly been 'out' longer than I was 'in' and certainly don't expect 'special' treatment because I served a lifetime ago - and was paid, trained and prepared for a life in Civvy St.

ANYBODY who has nobody at their funeral is sad, but that is perhaps nobody's responsibility but their own, however inoffensive they've been in their life.

I certainly won't wear 'sackcloth and ashes' for a lonely demise . . . whoever it is just because they 'served'.

[TBM-Legend]

B W MAY is a sad man.....:(

When my father-in-law passed away a few years ago the US Army provided a colour party and made his internment something special for our family. He had been a SSGT flight engineer on B-17's [and a temp. USAF Major in the Cuban Missile crisis]

Our funeral director contacted the Army who in turn connected us to a local Guard unit who provided the most professional and polite female Captain and some enlisted personnel...it was like being in a movie..the flag was formally presented to us as a recognition of his service. I have it in my office!

[Brian W May]

TBM

I think you miss my point, these threads are often 'aimed' at engendering some form of guilt because someone who served, died alone etc.

I feel sad for anybody that dies alone. However, I don't feel responsible for it, why should 'someone who served' be treated more favourably than say - a nurse or a doctor, or even a shop assistant?

I certainly would not criticise anybody who manages to mark the passing in a more positive manner, be they ex or non-service personnel.

[NutLoose]

I feel sad for anybody that dies alone. However, I don't feel responsible for it, why should 'someone who served' be treated more favourably than say - a nurse or a doctor, or even a shop assistant?



While I see your point you are also missing the main point, he was a serviceman and as such he was one of us, therefore if possible it would be nice for any ex service personnel or current service personnel to be present to say, hey mate, you may have gone alone, but you know what, you are not forgotten. It's sort of a cadre thing.

Likewise for Nurses or Doctors or Shop Assistants etc, one hopes there is a website devoted to those occupations and that they are saying hey, Florence Nightingale has died, how about a few of us gathering to see her off...

[ValMORNA]

NutLoose,


I would have wished to make the same point but was pre-empted; you probably made it better than I would have done. Thank you.

[GreenKnight121]

Sometimes I read comments like some on this thread, and think that many in the UK military have embraced and indeed idolized the "Tommy" status so skilfully described by Rudyard Kipling - to the point they get upset if anyone breaks the pattern by actually honoring them for having placed their lives in risk on behalf of their country.

Traumatic Bonding pathology is rather insidious, as it makes the victim believe they don't deserve better (or even adequate) treatment from their abuser, and they feel scared if there isn't abuse.

[ExRAFRadar]

Nutloose - well said.

Remember the old recruiting adverts along the lines of "It's not a job, it's a career" ?

Forgive me but I don't believe shop assistants or nurses had to go through basic training, bull nights, beastings, Tacevals, 4 or 6 month detachments to places where if you didn't have a sense of humour you would go mad, and in the last decade + the very real risk of dying. With apologies to the aircrew who, during the Cold War, did more than their fair share of attending funerals.

Okay those who served in the 80/90's did not face muck and bullets on a regular basis, if ever, but there was a sense of 'all in it together'

And that has stuck with me throughout my post RAF life. Probably more than I like to admit.

So, if I lived nearby, I would have gone to the chaps funeral. Not because I felt obligated, or wanted to somehow prove I am a better man.

But because in his life he was part of something that I was also part of.

Put it this way. If a number of Forces people had gone, you reckon there was a chance someone might have said 'Anyone fancy a pint' ?

And I like to think that a number of hours later some very happy people having 'pulled up that sandbag, swung that lantern' and for a while remember something much, much bigger than themselves.

I await incoming.

[Wander00]

Nutloose - Well said. "All of one company"

[Boudreaux Bob]

Put it this way. If a number of Forces people had gone, you reckon there was a chance someone might have said 'Anyone fancy a pint' ?

And I like to think that a number of hours later some very happy people having 'pulled up that sandbag, swung that lantern' and for a while remember something much, much bigger than themselves.

I await incoming.

Too True Mate!

I would buy the first round!

[Shack37]

Nutloose and ExRAFRadar

Two excellent posts which say it all.:ok:

[Fonsini]

Damn, Warrington Crem is near my old hometown (Northwich) and I'm back there pretty regularly to visit my folks.

On a side note my dad is now in a rest home and one of the other residents is an ex-WWII RAF bomber pilot. I'll be posting some of his stories as he's eager to share some of his experiences with me, almost as eager as I am to listen to them.

Honour the old warriors, we are only here because of their sacrifice.