A final salute from 300 strangers: Royal Marine, 70, with no family gets a grand send-off after vicar rallies mourners on Facebook



James McConnell, of Southsea, Hampshire, died last month at age of 70

Care home staff thought they would be only people at Portsmouth funeral

But vicar put appeal on Facebook and more than 200 strangers attended

Little is known of Marine but he arrived at care home with Falklands photos



They’d never met him and they knew precious little about him.

But hundreds turned out yesterday to mark the passing of a former Royal Marine who died with no known family . . . or friends.

Some travelled hundreds of miles to the funeral of James McConnell in Portsmouth after a local vicar used Facebook to appeal for mourners.

Hero: Former Royal Marine James 'Jimmy' McConnell, of Southsea, Hampshire, died last month aged 70

In remembrance: A motorcycle procession took place at the funeral of former Royal Marine James McConnell

Mark of respect: A small procession through the cemetery for Mr McConnell, who died of a chest infection, was led by Royal British Legion standard bearers

Reverend Bob Mason had felt troubled that just a handful of people would be at the ceremony – all of them care home staff who looked after Mr McConnell before his death aged 69 last month.

He posted a message on Facebook and contacted the Royal Marines Association asking for help to give the former bus driver – known as Jimmy – a ‘better send-off’. After a rallying cry went around the Armed Forces and social networking sites his wish for the former serviceman was granted.

Yesterday, in the biting cold, a procession through the cemetery was led by Royal British Legion standard bearers followed by a group of flag-bearing motorcycles from the legion’s riders’ branch.

Two buglers from the Royal Marines band played the Last Post as Mr McConnell’s coffin was lowered into the ground.And mourners surrounded the grave with poppy wreaths – one with the poignant, handwritten message: ‘Stand at ease, your work is done.’

Mr Mason, who conducted the service at Milton Cemetery, told the estimated 300 who attended: ‘The great majority of you who have come here today did not know James McConnell but wanted him to have a dignified farewell.

‘I thank you for that kindness and generosity of spirit.’ After the ceremony he said: ‘It was a very cold morning, and people were shivering, but it is testament to the sacrifice people were prepared to make in order to attend.’



Huge crowd: Staff at the ex-Marine's care home had feared they would be the only people at his funeral

Coffin carried: The Reverend Bob Mason is seen (left) at the funeral of former Royal Marine James McConnell

Salute: Two members of the Royal Marines Band Service (right) play the Last Post at the funeral of James McConnell. Others (left) saluted in respect of the former Marine Richie Puttock, from the Royal Marines Association, travelled 140 miles from his home in Cardiff to bid farewell to the man he had never met. He said: ‘I had to ensure he got the send-off he deserved. It was an absolutely fantastic service. I think his story pricked the conscience of those who heard it, because nobody wants to think they will have a funeral with nobody there. Wherever he is now, I’m sure he would have been pleased.’ 'The great majority of you who have come here today did not know James McConnell but wanted him to have a dignified farewell. I thank you for that kindness' Reverend Bob Mason Danny Marshall, a former Royal Marine, said he attended because the corps was like an extended family. He said: ‘It was mentioned wrongly that he did not have family; the corps family is bigger and better than most people would know about. We are all family and always will be.’ Mr McConnell, who died from a chest infection, spent his final days at the Bluebell Care Home in Southsea. Little is known about his life or about his career in the Armed Forces. He was referred to the care home by social services and arrived with his green beret, medals, and photographs of the Falklands. Mr McConnell had been forced to leave his flat, where he had lived alone, two months before his death after suffering a stroke which affected his ability to speak. Finish: The service concluded with two buglers from the Royal Marines Band Service playing the Last Post

Tribute: Mourners at the funeral included tearful veterans, members of the military, and the local community, who surrounded the grave with military standards, and poppy wreaths Solemn: A funeral director lays flowers at the service for former Royal Marine James McConnell in Portsmouth

Dizzy Page, the activities co-ordinator at the care home, described him as ‘a proud man’ who ‘always had a sparkle in his eyes’.

Ian Smith, one of the directors of the care home, said: ‘It was amazing to see close to 300 people turn up to the funeral. It makes you proud to be British.