Appeal for mourners to attend funeral of 'humble' Royal Scots Fusiliers veteran

An appeal has been made for mourners to attend the funeral of a war veteran who has passed away with no known family or friends.

Maurice Winspear, 98, served in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and spent four years deployed on active service on the front line in Italy during the Second World War as well as tours in Syria, Palestine and Egypt.

Described as a quiet and humble man, his campaign medals were his pride and joy as well as listening to Middlesborough football games on the radio after losing his sight in recent years.

The 98-year-old passed away recently in a care home in Nunthorpe, Middlesborough, north Yorkshire.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday May 31 at 2pm at Kirkleatham Crematorium, in Redcar, Yearby. 

Sue Dicken, an east Cleveland based celebrant, is officiating at his funeral and she has reached out to the Teesside community with an appeal for mourners to attend to help give Maurice the send off he deserves.

She has spent time trying to find out more about Maurice and has discovered he was born on Whitby in 1923, served his country and then worked for the United bus company on Teesside and later, at British Steel.