Funeral sparks global interest

When World War II veteran Albert Vaughan died, his carers feared only a handful of people would attend his funeral.

The 89-year-old former Royal Marine had outlived his family, including his children.

But hundreds of people turned out in Tamworth today to pay their respects at the veteran's funeral following an online appeal.

Andy Bevan reports.

Hundreds of people turned out in Tamworth earlier today to pay their respects at the funeral of a Second World War veteran that none of them knew.

Andy Bevan reports.

The streets of Tamworth have been lined with people this lunchtime for the funeral of a Second World War veteran.

Hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects to 89-year-old Albert Vaughan.

Six people were due to attend Albert's funeral, until an online appeal from his care home manager went global.

Hundreds of people have turned out in Tamworth this lunchtime to pay their respects at the funeral of a Second World War veteran none of them knew. Six people were due to attend Albert Vaughan's funeral, until an online appeal went global.

Around 300 people have attended the funeral of a Second World War veteran from Tamworth after an online appeal by his nursing home.

Albert Vaughan, 89, spent the last 20 years of his life in the home and outlived both his son and daughter.

150 were at the memorial service, including many veterans, who formed a guard of honour as his coffin was brought into the church.

Chris Homer, the care home manager for Marmion Nursing Home in Tamworth, says it was an 'absolute pleasure' to look after Albert Vaughan in the 21 years he was at the home.

• 24 March 1924: Albert Vaughan was born in Tamworth
• 1942: Albert Vaughan signed up to the Royal Marines as an 18 year-old man
• Believed to have been decorated with up to six medals for services during the Second World War

• Carried out active service in Malaysia
• Discharged because of a shrapnel injury inflicted while on duty in Malaysia
• Outlived both his son and daughter
• Had two grandchildren
• 25 March 2013: Albert Vaughan died at the Good Hope Hospital from pneumonia

A church service will take place at 12:30 at St Editha's Church in Tamworth, Staffordshire (the red point).

The cremation will take place at 13:30 at Sutton Coldfield Crematorium in Sutton Coldfield (the blue point).

A special service will also be held at the Sutton Coldfield Social Club following the cremation (the yellow point).

The nursing home manager of the war veteran whose funeral has sparked a worldwide interest received calls from as far as India about a war veteran's funeral

The manager sent an email to the National Ex-Services Association to encourage veterans to attend.

What was going to be a funeral attended by six members of staff will now be attended by hundreds.

The service will be held at a church in Tamworth before moving onto Sutton Coldfield crematorium.