Veterans fill chapel as online plea ensures paratrooper doesn't make final journey alone
The oak coffin was draped in the double-sided maroon flag of the Parachute Regiment and most of the mourners had never even met Lance Corporal Terence 'Paddy' Purcell.
The veteran who served with 2 and 3 PARA had no known family or friends faced a lonely farewell at Kingston Crematorium at his 09:40 allocated time slot on Tuesday.
But in a rare celebration of the positive impact of social media, an appeal via X and Facebook which called on people to "attend the funeral of a veteran", every pew of the chapel was full of veterans from various regiments.
The poignant post read: "He has no family, no-one should take their final journey alone, please retweet. RIP Sir."
Veterans wearing their familiar maroon berets and cap badges from the Parachute Regiment were well represented and joined by their fellow servicemen from The Welsh Guards, the Royal Navy, a submariner, the Armed Forces charity SSAFA and the local branches of the Royal British Legion from Surbiton and Croydon.
No photograph of LCpl Purcell exists. Only one attendee did know Paddy, who was born 70 years ago today.
Alan Crutchley from Shropshire recalled: "He was a good boxer and I remember fighting with him in Berlin in 1979."
'Truly honoured him'
Funeral celebrant Bob Craft, a veteran of 1 PARA and 22 SAS conducted the short service paying tribute to Paddy, who was from South Armagh, Northern Ireland, as a "good man and a good paratrooper".
He told the congregation only two people would have attended the service before the social media post alerted the Parachute Regimental Association and the wider veteran community.
"The outpouring of support and energy from the veteran community has demonstrated the unwavering brotherhood, comradeship, compassion, and love that exists among us, especially for a fellow veteran like Terence Purcell," he said.
"Although many of you may not be acquainted with each other, you are all connected through the service for our Queen, now King, and country.
"Regardless of your cap badge, you have chosen to pause your usual routines today to honour the emotions that accompany us when we experience the loss of a veteran."
He went on: "Each of you has made the effort to be present here today, and your attendance is deeply appreciated. Your presence holds significant meaning, reflecting the value and impact of Terence's service.
"As I gaze upon the sea of maroon berets, the proud standards, and the faces filled with honour, I am deeply moved by the collective pride and effort you have all put into making this farewell truly special for Terence Purcell.
"No relatives were available. The response has been excellent. You attended and truly honoured him. With pride and respect, we bid him farewell."
His last known residence was a care home in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.
The celebrant added: "What do we know about him, sadly not a lot, he is remembered as a boxer in 3 PARA, also 2 PARA has been mentioned, and with the absence of the red book or recalls it is difficult to sketch a decent picture of his military service, the modern data protection rules are a barrier to fact-finding with no relatives available to gain access.
"We know he was a good paratrooper; he came from a difficult background which must have been even more challenging with his chosen career of joining the Parachute Regiment.
"Many questions have been asked in the last couple of weeks, trying to link in with what you, Terence, have been up to since leaving the Army as well as some feedback from your time serving our country.
"I felt sad that we could not pinpoint your exact movements and your life story. Maybe you were lonely, maybe you were sad, but maybe and hopefully you were happy. Either way, your final journey is well under way and everyone here can visualise that journey that we all expect to take one day."
As The Last Post sounded the celebrant added: "Terence's time is now over, a veteran whose battles have come to an end.
"With hearts heavy with sorrow, yet light with gratitude. May his spirit soar with the Valkyries as he joins the noble ranks of warriors who have gone before him.
"We commit the body of Terence Purcell to its end with nature and to be cremated. Rest peacefully and enjoy being welcomed into the halls of heroes."
The coffin arrived in a hearse and was carried into the chapel by six veterans, wearing their maroon berets, with a line of veterans standing to attention in a guard of honour.
'Entering the halls of heroes'
The celebrant paid tribute to Paddy's "last drop" as the haunting sound of a C-130 troop carrier aircraft was played over the sound system along with The Last Post, The Ride of the Valkyries, Pomp and Circumstance 4 and the theme tune from the 1977 Richard Attenborough film A Bridge Too Far.
The celebrant added: "The response today has demonstrated the unwavering compassion and love for a fellow veteran like Terence Purcell."
He also read the Airborne Forces Collect: "May the defence of the Most High be above and beneath, around and within us, in our going out and in our coming in, in our rising up and in our going down, through all our days and all our nights, until dawn when the Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in his wings for the peoples of the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."
As the flag was removed from the coffin the Standards of the Parachute Regiment and the Royal British Legion were slowly lowered and the Last Post was played. The celebrant told the mourners that Paddy was "entering the halls of heroes".
His ashes will be scattered under a parachute at Petersfield airfield in Hampshire and during a service atop Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons in May.
Mr Craft revealed that three similar funerals of veterans with no relatives were due to take place later this week.
"This is a growing problem and we want to make all those people who work in care homes and hospitals where veterans may be living or receiving end-of-life treatment contact regimental associations to ensure that we can give these veterans and heroes the send-off they truly deserve," he said.
Last week Mr Craft posted on Facebook to say: "I am confirmed and conducting the council funeral for L/Cpl Terence Purcell next Tuesday 9 April at Kingston Crematorium, KT1 3EZ at 0940hrs.
"I know Vic Morrell (local welfare officer) is attending with the standard and a few chaps, but if we can rally more then that would be great. We have an 8x5' Regimental flag to dress him for entry.
"It would be super if we can have a pallbearer party to march him into The Ride of the Valkyries."
Veteran family welfare officer Vikki Morrell also posted on social media: "Regarding funeral 9 April, Kingston Crematorium at 0940, detail as follows:
"Lance Corporal Terence Purcell DOB 09/04/1954, Paratrooper Service, last place of residence 26 Griffiths Close KT4 8SL (Care Home).
"He has no contactable relatives and just two friends will be attending as things stand. So if we can rustle up a few more, it will be nice. Thanks for your help."
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
