WWII hero, 102, gets proper military send-off at funeral after he died with no surviving relatives

A WWII hero has received a proper military send-off at his funeral as locals and veterans turned up en masse after the 102-year-old died with no surviving relatives.

William 'Bill' Darnell, who lived all his life in Hull, East Yorkshire, was supposed to be laid to rest by a niece, who was his last surviving relative, but she tragically died two months before he did.

Next door neighbour Jo Barlow, 59, stepped in to fund the service at Hull Crematorium but then realised the pews would be empty.

Mr Darnell's friends and local veterans' organisation Hull4Heroes put out a public appeal for mourners and dozens responded to the call, with the chapel ending up packed with many having to stand. 

In touching scenes he was buried today with full military honours, including a piper, guard of honour of four standard bearers, and bugler who played the Last Post as veterans stood in silent tribute.

Mr Darnell was born during the reign of George V in Brecon Street, Hull, in February 1923, in a terraced house with only an outside toilet, tin bath, and a sink with a cold tap. 

As a child he attended Buckingham Street School, or Mucky Bucky as it was known, before signing up for the Army as a young man and in 1942 became one of the first to join the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) as a lorry driver.

He never talked about his wartime experiences or what he went through so no one knows where he was stationed, and his Army file is believed to have been among the REME records destroyed in a blaze at the War Office in 1959.

Bill Darnell, 102, who lived all his life in Hull, East Yorkshire, was supposed to be laid to rest by a niece, who was his last surviving relative, but she tragically died two months before he did

Mr Darnell's friends and local veterans' organisation Hull4Heroes put out a public appeal for mourners and dozens responded to the call, with the chapel ending up packed with many having to stand

He ended up receiving full military honours including a piper and a bugler, who played the Last Post as he was laid to rest

But veterans attending the funeral said because of his age he could have very well have served on D-Day. 

After the war, he returned to Brecon Street and worked at the British Aerospace factory at Brough, working on military jets such as The Buccaneer during the sixties and seventies.

His apprentices remembered him as an affable pipe-smoking boss who refused to be hurried and was often late - daring bosses to sack him if they didn't like it. 

Mr Darnell played golf at Beverley, East Yorkshire, enjoyed a daily flutter on the horses, and amused his colleagues by singing made up ditties at work.

Celebrant Irene Kopanska told the packed funeral chapel: 'I think today he would be surprised to see all that has taken place in his honour and would say a very proud thank you to all of you.

'Bill was a very private person and not one for reminiscing, so despite living more than 100 years we don't know a lot about him. In the year of his birth the electric shaver was invented and frozen food.

'He lived in the area all his life. When he was a young lad there was only the occasional car. Horse drawn transport was the order of the day. Ten years before the area was just fields.

'As a young man he signed up for the Army. We suspect he was called up because of his age. We know he was a very upright member of society.

Veterans lined to road ahead of the funeral procession arriving in Hull this morning

Serving personell were also in attendance to pay their respects to the former soldier, who served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Military Funeral Bugler Kev Fawcett travelled from Wakefield to play the Last Post for Mr Darnell

The appeal put out by kind-hearted neighbours led to dozens coming from far and wide to attend Mr Darnell's funeral

A piper walked in front of the funeral procession as it arrived for the service this morning

'He had a dim view of hanging around the streets with no work. He was quick to share his opinion how National Service helped people of his generation.

'He was well respected as a hard worker and diligent member of staff. He was described as a great bloke with a dry sense of humour. He was known as a gentleman and good teacher for his apprentices.

'In later life, he enjoyed repairing cars and any sport. He supported Hull KR. He played a lot of golf and had trophies in his home.

'In lockdown he had neighbours knocking on his door, checking on him and helping with his shopping. For the first time in a long time, his life was different in a positive way and new friendships were made.'

Those attending were told that after Covid, he became more and more frail - but was delighted to receive a 100th birthday card from King Charles. 

Help For Heores stepped in, moving his furniture downstairs and tidying up his overgrown garden, which he became very proud of and would always show visitors around it.

Since no photograph of Mr Darnell has been found, the card was displayed on top of his casket, draped in the union jack, next to a REME cap.

Among those to have made the trip to attend the funeral was Jason Garnham, 50, from Beverley, who has served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Iraq for the Royal Logistical Corps.

Veteran Paul Perry, who heads a veterans and riders support group for veterans to get together was in attendance, and rode his bike over from Wakefield

Neighbour Jo Barlow took it upon herself to fund the funeral and put out the appeal for mourners

Mark Granger who was one of the flag carriers at the service and travelled from Sheffield

Mr Darnell's coffin is given a guard of honour as pallbearers carry it into the chapel

He said: 'It is a strange funeral because we are the dark about what he did. But all the veterans have pulled together to make sure he got the sendoff he deserved.'

Former Sgt Major Paul Perry, from Wakefield, formerly of 50 Missile, Royal Artillery, and other units, runs the Veterans and Riders Support Group for 700 veterans, including ex-pat veterans in the US, Australia and South Africa. During his service, he met Prince Harry at Sandhurst and Princess Diana.

He said: 'A lot of the veterans do not want to talk about their experiences. I am glad for him that it was a good turnout. 

'At least he was not alone. That is the main thing. A soldier should never go out alone. Occasions like this make your bottom lip go. They really do.'

Mark Granger, Standard Bearer and Branch Secretary of the Doncaster and District REME Association, said the spectre of a paupers' funeral was now hanging above many of the older veterans.

He said: 'We heard he was getting a pauper's funeral. We don't allow that. This is the third one I have done that was going to be pauper's funeral. But thankfully, he has had the right send off.

'It was a full chapel and we had regulars all the way from Ripon. I work in the funeral industry anyway so I know what it is like.

'It is becoming more and more common especially now. Once they get over 90 most of their family has passed away themselves or drifted apart.

Veteran Jason Garnham, came to pay his respects to Bill Darnel

Attendees at Mr Darnell's funeral, which took place this morning, post for photographs

Dozens of people attended the small service, with many having to stand due to a lack of seats

Those attending were told that after Covid, Mr Darnell became more and more frail - but was delighted to receive a 100th birthday card from King Charles

Locals from Hull and the surrounding area also attended the service

'If it is a military veteran, we get the word out the best we can so his Veterans' Family can bond together.'

Retired staff nurse Maureen Robinson, 74, from Hull, was one of the local people who answered the appeal for mourners.

She said: 'If you can’t be here for people like him there is no point in being here at all.

'My brother is in the forces but is undergoing tests for cancer so he could not be here today. But nothing was going to stop me coming.

'Our veterans fought our battles before most of us were even born.'

Veteran military bugler Kev Fawcett, who played the Last Post as the veterans stood in silent tribute to Mr Darnell, added: 'This is the third or fours time I have come when they have put a call out round for mourners.

'This is happening more often but people rally round and give them the send off they deserve. It is the least we can do after all they have done.'