Oswald Dixon: Hundreds at 'no family' veteran's funeral Published duration 9 October 2019

image caption RAF Cadets and members of 34 Squadron formed a guard of honour

Hundreds of people turned out for the funeral of a 100-year-old war veteran from Jamaica who had no family in the UK, after a plea from his care home.

Ex-RAF serviceman Oswald Dixon died on 25 September at Broughton House in Salford, Greater Manchester.

RAF Cadets and members of 34 Squadron carried the coffin into the chapel at Agecroft Cemetery.

His care home said Mr Dixon's "warm character will be missed".

image copyright Broughton House image caption RAF servicemen Oswald Dixon died at the age of 100

A spokesperson for Broughton House said they wanted to thank everyone for showing "tremendous compassion and support".

"At his 100th birthday celebration, Oswald stated that he always tried to live life as it should be lived, by doing things for other people."

Chris Lindsay, the care home's chief executive, said: "His warm character will be missed by everyone."

image caption Hundreds of people from across the country travelled to pay their respects

image copyright Peter Byrne/PA Wire image caption Mr Dixon's remembrance hearse was decorated with 100 poppies

Tony Bryan, who travelled from Cheltenham to pay his respects, said: "I didn't know him. It's not about the expense, it's not about the distance, I just had to be here."

image caption Tony Bryan travelled to the funeral from Cheltenham

Mr Dixon joined the RAF in Kingston, Jamaica, in November 1944 as a flight mechanic and moved to Britain before World War Two ended.

image copyright Broughton House image caption Oswald Dixon celebrated his 100th birthday in April at a Caribbean-themed party held in his honour