On Air Now Tim Rogers 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Now Playing Level 42 Running In The Family

World War Two Hero Receives Overwhelming Send-off

Thursday, 6 February 2020 14:06

The scene outside St Mary Magdalene Church in Newark.

Hundreds of people turned out for the funeral of a former RAF bomber who died in January at the age of 95.

Jim Auton MBE, is thought to have been the last British member of the Warsaw Air Bridge, which saw supplies dropped to Polish resistance fighters.

The funeral received widespread media coverage following concerns from the RAF Association officials, who launched a desperate plea to the public to attend the funeral of the WWII hero who has no known family.

Mr Auton flew 37 missions with 178 Squadron, including dropping vital weapons to Britain's Polish allies during the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, before he was injured at the age of 20, losing the sight in his right eye.

After the war, he was awarded 20 medals by six different countries, including the Polish Presidential Gold Order of Merit and the Soviet Union War Veterans' Medal, and was made an MBE in 2000.

The funeral took place at Newark Parish Church today (6th February). Mr Auton will be buried in Newark Cemetery, close to the Warsaw Air Bridge Memorial, which he campaigned for and helped to plan in 1989.

Share

More from Local News

  • Nottinghamshire County Council: Get around this festive season with half price on demand travel in the evenings!

    Bus passengers can get around and explore the Mansfield and Newark Nottsbus On Demand zones in the evenings for only £1 throughout December and January!

  • Could you be a blood donor?

    The NHS Blood and Transplant Service are calling on local people to help fill available blood donation appointments at their Nottingham Donor Centre over coming days and weeks to help boost their blood stock levels.

  • Radio Newark on DAB Digital Radio.

    DAB deal signals massive expansion in Radio Newark’s reach. Radio Newark's potential audience reach is set to expand dramatically after the community station’s board of directors accepted an offer to have its output relayed by Nottingham DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting).

  • Newark jam-packed with events this spring and summer

    This year is set to be a busy one in Newark with a whole host of events set to take place in the market town over the next few months. From Artisan Markets to the CAMRA Beer Festival and ‘Race to the Castle’ (a paddle board event) to the popular Steampunk Festival, there’s lots for families and friends to get involved with.