Heart felt thanks from the daughters of the late James Thomas Saunders

Dear Editor,

This June, saw the passing of our dad at the age of 92, who had been a very recent resident of Heywood.

In being so, my sister and I were very concerned that on the day of dad funeral we would be very much alone in our grief.

Funeral Directors, ‘Kavanagh & Coates’, in Heywood, had been recommended to us and so we chose them to organise our dad’s funeral.

As you can imagine, emotionally, we were all over the place and needed guidance to see us through.

They arranged everything, befitting the memory of our dad who served in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army during WWII.

In recognition of dad’s service as a paratrooper in the US Army alongside British and other allied forces, a Stars and Stripes Flag was draped over dad’s coffin, covered with the beautiful flower arrangements from Taylor James Florist in Heywood, with our ‘very specific order’,   perfectly done.

Never will that sight fade from memory, simply took our breath away.

Anthony from Kavanagh & Coates, had asked for a photo. We had one of dad in his uniform (which had sadly been torn). Amazingly, a friend of his, Ian Beddoes, airbrushed it, as new, enlarged, printed and framed it and was placed at the foot of dad’s coffin. In addition, he had another one done, so that my sister and I would have one each. What a really thoughtful thing to have done for us to keep for always.

The Heywood Lancashire Veterans Association was contacted. The Chairman, Harry Mills, Eric, Trevor, other members provided a ‘guard of honour’ for dad at Rochdale Crematorium.

Simply, to honour a wartime serving, regular guy. One of their own.

Christian, a former Major, who travelled up from Northamptonshire to stand as part of dad’s ‘guard of honour’ and attend dad’s funeral and who the following week in recognition of dad’s service to the US Army, while attending a funeral there of a fallen colleague, laid a cross in dad’s name in Arlington Cemetery, Virginia, USA. An incredibly touching and totally unexpected act of recognition.

Andy, represented the memory of the WWII, 82nd Airborne Division, who also travelled across the country to stand as part of dad’s ‘guard of honour’ and to attend dad’s funeral.

My sister and I were blown away by all their attendances. It was such an uplifting sight to see. These fine men in their uniforms. I remember thinking, this is incredible for someone they had never met in life.

Angela Mills, wife of Harry Mills who attended dad’s funeral.

Andrea and Maureen from Beech House Care Home, Heywood, our sincere appreciation to you and your staff for your help and care of dad before his death and for your attendance at dad’s funeral.

Service Cards were provided by ‘Kavanagh & Coates’ incorporating dad’s service photo, had been laminated, a thoughtful touch. They also suggested the music for dad’s service. ‘In the Mood’, by Glenn Miller, was played as we entered the chapel, my sister and I wanted dad’s service to be a celebration of his life.

Reverand Susan Banks arranged and conducted dad’s service, dad’s eulogy was so special.

At the end of the service a bugler had been arranged to play the Last Post. The sound was simply stunning and so powerful. We will never forget your tribute and the pride we felt. We’ll meet again by Vera Lynn was the closing music for dad’s service.

My sister and I were then presented with the Stars & Stripes Flag, a very moving experience.

We left the Chapel.

Anthony at Kavanagh & Coates suggested that we might want to lay dad’s flowers at the War Memorial in Heywood. A special and wonderful idea, so we did.

Members of the Heywood’s Lancaster Veterans Association accompanied us and laid a Cross of Poppies. Another Cross of Poppies, with a card from the ‘People of Heywood’, was also laid, for which my sister and I were most grateful.

In the days that followed dad’s funeral, my sister and I would go to the War Memorial while dad’s flowers remained. This helped us to feel still close to dad.

Fittingly that weekend, Heywood held the 1940s Forces day, a very emotional event.

In what was a very distressing time, we were very much comforted and supported by all of you, for which we will be forever grateful.

Six months have now passed by without dad.

My sister and I have made it our business to get to know about the work of the Heywood Lancashire Veterans Association, their members are all volunteers who work to support and help the lives of ex-servicemen and women in the Heywood area.

What a fantastic group of people to have in your town. Keep up the good work guys.

We are very grateful to you and we are proud to have met you.

Heywood, you have a lot of lovely people in your town. Thank you from my sister and I.

Kindest Regards,

Elaine Finn and Elaine Saunders