AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
Pte Douglas Shallcross led a daredevil life in the dangerous Reconnaissance Corps which culminated in a bloody D-day landing at Normandy.
The father-of-one - who miraculously survived a grenade blast, a bullet to the head and twice being squashed by American tanks - passed away aged 92 last month.
But the widower's daughter put out an appeal after fearing only five family members would be at his funeral to salute him and say goodbye.
On Tuesday they were left speechless as hundreds of locals, soldiers, airmen and sailors descended on Highfield Cemetery, in Romiley, Greater Manchester, to pay their respects.
Pte Douglas Shallcross was honoured as hundreds answered the call to attend the heroes funeral
As a bugler blew a moving rendition of the last post at Mr Shallcross's graveside, a bagpiper had his grieving relatives in tears with his military melodies.
Today his thankful daughter Anne Holloway said she was proud her father was seen off in true British style.
She said: "I am incredibly touched, it was lovely.
"His wartime memories were some of the last to fade away so I am sure he would have been so grateful."
Granddaughter Victoria Holloway said it was incredible so many people made it to the funeral when only a handful of family were expected.
She said: "It was amazing seeing so many people and we are really touched that so many would come out to say goodbye."
Catherine O'Brien came to the ceremony with her husband, Shaun, after reading about the appeal through social media.
She said: "He fought for us. We thought he can't just be buried alone.
"It is only a couple of hours out of the day, so it's not a big deal at all when you think about what he did."
Simon Walker served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Gibraltar and Canada between 1986 and 2001 and said he felt he had to pay his respects.
The former full corporal said: "Just one word says it all; respect.
"Respect for what he and so many of his generation have done."
Mr Shallcross, who was born and raised in Marple, Cheshire, could not swim as he joined thousands of allied troops to storm Normandy beaches on D-Day in 1944.
The veteran's daughter put out an appeal fearing only five family members would be able to attend
He celebrated his 21st birthday underfire in France, where his sergeant was able to sneak him a bottle of beer to mark the occasion.
But on several occasions luck appeared to be with him as he repeatedly dodged certain death.
First he was twice run over by blinded American tanks, only surviving by rolling between the two sets of tracks.
Then in France he narrowly survived after being blown up by a grenade that landed at his feet and killed every other member of his patrol.
Lastly he was also accidentally shot by a colleague in the forehead, leaving him with a cross-shaped scar that remained throughout his life.
The hundreds of guests answered the public appeal
After peace was declared he was reluctant to talk about his heroism in World War Two as it had robbed him of the lives of so many friends.
He spent his 'demob' money on installing electric lights at his mother's house when he returned home and began working at the local steelworks.
Later he was introduced to Doreen, who later became his wife, via a blind date.
Their daughter, Anne, was born in 1951 and she went on to have two daughters, Alex and Victoria and he later became a great-grandfather to Alex's three children.
Veteran of the Household Cavalry from 1978-1985 Andy Cooke, who helped organise the campaign, said he was amazed by the turn-out.
He said: "There is no veteran that should go without people paying their respects to them.
"I would like to thank every person who attended; the response has been incredible."
SOURCE: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/71...rvived-shot-head-tank-funeral-hundreds-attend
Pte Douglas Shallcross led a daredevil life in the dangerous Reconnaissance Corps which culminated in a bloody D-day landing at Normandy.
The father-of-one - who miraculously survived a grenade blast, a bullet to the head and twice being squashed by American tanks - passed away aged 92 last month.
But the widower's daughter put out an appeal after fearing only five family members would be at his funeral to salute him and say goodbye.
On Tuesday they were left speechless as hundreds of locals, soldiers, airmen and sailors descended on Highfield Cemetery, in Romiley, Greater Manchester, to pay their respects.
Pte Douglas Shallcross was honoured as hundreds answered the call to attend the heroes funeral
As a bugler blew a moving rendition of the last post at Mr Shallcross's graveside, a bagpiper had his grieving relatives in tears with his military melodies.
Today his thankful daughter Anne Holloway said she was proud her father was seen off in true British style.
She said: "I am incredibly touched, it was lovely.
"His wartime memories were some of the last to fade away so I am sure he would have been so grateful."
Granddaughter Victoria Holloway said it was incredible so many people made it to the funeral when only a handful of family were expected.
She said: "It was amazing seeing so many people and we are really touched that so many would come out to say goodbye."
Catherine O'Brien came to the ceremony with her husband, Shaun, after reading about the appeal through social media.
She said: "He fought for us. We thought he can't just be buried alone.
"It is only a couple of hours out of the day, so it's not a big deal at all when you think about what he did."
Simon Walker served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Gibraltar and Canada between 1986 and 2001 and said he felt he had to pay his respects.
The former full corporal said: "Just one word says it all; respect.
"Respect for what he and so many of his generation have done."
Mr Shallcross, who was born and raised in Marple, Cheshire, could not swim as he joined thousands of allied troops to storm Normandy beaches on D-Day in 1944.
The veteran's daughter put out an appeal fearing only five family members would be able to attend
He celebrated his 21st birthday underfire in France, where his sergeant was able to sneak him a bottle of beer to mark the occasion.
But on several occasions luck appeared to be with him as he repeatedly dodged certain death.
First he was twice run over by blinded American tanks, only surviving by rolling between the two sets of tracks.
Then in France he narrowly survived after being blown up by a grenade that landed at his feet and killed every other member of his patrol.
Lastly he was also accidentally shot by a colleague in the forehead, leaving him with a cross-shaped scar that remained throughout his life.
The hundreds of guests answered the public appeal
After peace was declared he was reluctant to talk about his heroism in World War Two as it had robbed him of the lives of so many friends.
He spent his 'demob' money on installing electric lights at his mother's house when he returned home and began working at the local steelworks.
Later he was introduced to Doreen, who later became his wife, via a blind date.
Their daughter, Anne, was born in 1951 and she went on to have two daughters, Alex and Victoria and he later became a great-grandfather to Alex's three children.
Veteran of the Household Cavalry from 1978-1985 Andy Cooke, who helped organise the campaign, said he was amazed by the turn-out.
He said: "There is no veteran that should go without people paying their respects to them.
"I would like to thank every person who attended; the response has been incredible."
SOURCE: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/71...rvived-shot-head-tank-funeral-hundreds-attend
