Veterans send of ex-solder' at funeral after fears no one would attend

A send-off fit for a hero: Biker veterans rally round to form guard of honour for ex-soldier after fears no one would turn up to pay their respects at funeral after he died aged 90

• Hero Ronald Knights died at the age of 90 in Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk in July
• Leaving no family behind, a funeral director was worried he’d have no mourners 

A war veteran who had no known family was given a hero’s send off after more than 70 mourners made up of a large bike escort and fellow servicemen rallied to pay their final respects.

Ronald Knights – who was affectionately known to many as Ron or ‘Fuzzy’ –  was living in a supported housing complex, with little to no family or friends left, before he died at the age of 90 in Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk on July 7.

After his sad death, funeral director David Button was concerned that Mr Knights, who saw active duty in the Suffolk Regiment, might have a public health funeral with no mourners.

Public health funerals are arranged by the local council for people who have passed away and have no next of kin, or whose next of kin, relatives or friends are unable or unwilling to make the necessary arrangements for a funeral.

Determined that Mr Knights would not set out on his final journey alone, Mr Button took action, calling upon the assistance of ex-military man Jay Lorenz, who has organised many biker escorts for funerals in the past.

A plea was put out for mourners and military personnel to attend Ronald Knights’ funeral in Felixstowe, Suffolk which took place yesterday. 

More than 70 mourners made up of a large bike escort and fellow servicemen rallied to pay their final respects

Ronald Knights, who was affectionately known to many as Ron or ‘Fuzzy’, died at the age of 90 in Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk on July 7

And after cooperation between the funeral director and a veteran who served alongside Mr Knights, a large crowd of strangers turned up to pay their respects.

Organiser Jay Lopez, said: ‘In the escort, there were many veterans as well as general bikers.

‘They just wanted to bring it together for a guy we never knew, but at the end of the day, he served in the same regiment as we did.’

Mr Knights, was familiar to many people in Felixstowe, where he lived for more than 20 years.

He served in the armed forces for 12 years and saw active duty in the Suffolk Regiment, which is now known as the Royal Anglian Regiment.

The funeral that took place on Wednesday, September 27, was attended by about 70 people, including about 35 motorbikers.

Mr Lorenz said: ‘David and I are both ex-military, as we served at the same battalion in the 90s.

Mr Knights served in the armed forces for 12 years and saw active duty in the Suffolk Regiment, which is now known as the Royal Anglian Regiment

And after cooperation between the funeral director and a veteran who served alongside Mr Knights, a large crowd of strangers turned up to pay their respects

The funeral that took place on Wednesday, September 27, was attended by about 70 people, including about 35 motorbikers

While there was no family in attendance today, and to see the motorbike community come together as well as ex-service personnel

Mr Knights was given a hero’s send-off after passing away at 90, leaving no family behind

Mr Knights’ coffin was draped in the Union flag with flowers placed on top as the war hero made his final journey, watched by mourning strangers 

After his sad death, funeral director David Button was concerned that Mr Knights, who saw active duty in the Suffolk Regiment, would have a pubic health funeral with no mourners

A legion of military personnel came to pay their respects at the funeral of Mr Knights

A medal was placed on top of Mr Knights coffin in memory of his service and bravery

‘We approached this funeral like a military operation.

‘This ceremony was organised by two veterans for a veteran. We did it our way.

‘It was the only right way to give Mr Knights the proper send-off.’

Mr Button added: ‘There was no family in attendance today, and to see the motorbike community come together as well as ex-service personnel was truly lovely to witness.

‘The alternative to today’s service would have been a public health cremation with absolutely no one in attendance.

‘It was a lovely send-off for a gentleman who enjoyed life and was thought so fondly of by so many.’

Barry Grunnell, who knew  Mr Knights for three decades and is chairman of the Felixstowe branch of the Royal Anglian Regiment’s veterans association, told BBC News: ‘It’s not right that someone goes through so much for their country and then is totally forgotten, and I couldn’t let that happen.

‘He was an all-round good guy. He wouldn’t believe this was his funeral – he would be really happy.’

Helen Ashford, a friend of Mr Knights, also told the BBC that Mr Knights ‘always looked on the bright side of life’.

She added: ‘I was really sad at the thought there might only be four or five people here, but I’m overwhelmed with how many people have turned up for him.

‘He would have been so proud and chuffed to bits.’

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