Emotional and fitting final farewell for Burma Star veteran Howard Beech

Members of the Burma Star Association turned out to pay their respects.

Family and friends also gathered at the intimate service on Friday to pay tribute to Mr Beech at St Leonard’s Church in Bilston.

The veteran fought as part of the Burma campaign, which took place between 1944 and 1945. It saw conflict between the British and Imperial Japan, Thailand and the Indian National Army.

Among those paying their respects were grandchildren Alex, Sarah, Lyndsey and Loyd, and nephew Keith Beech.

Keith, 77, said: “It was absolutely stunning, proper military, a proper job. He’s like a second dad to me, he was a lovely man and he deserved every second of today.

“The whole day, what a lovely day, we shouldn’t forget our soldiers should we.

“The whole family were absolutely chuffed. It was really, very nice.

Born on November 16, 1922, in Bilston, Mr Beech later married Zelma, his wife of more than 60 years.

Upon arriving back from war to Wolverhampton, he was admitted to hospital for shell shock as he could not remember the boat ride back from Vietnam.

Leading the service, Reverend Prentice said: "Today we have come to remember Howard and to give thanks.

"We're here to honour someone who lived his life to the full.

"He loved his football, he was a Wolves fan.

"He would speak his mind if he had to, he didn't suffer fools."

As part of a written tribute, son Paul's note read: "We were hoping he would make it to a 100 but sadly this was not to be."