Last Post plays for final send off to Second World War hero James

A much loved and respected war veteran was given a hero’s send off after passing away at the age of 100.
By Mark Payne
Published 7th Nov 2020, 07:00 BST
Stitchell House staff say goodbye to 100-year-old war veteran James Lindsay before his funeral procession leaves.Stitchell House staff say goodbye to 100-year-old war veteran James Lindsay before his funeral procession leaves.
Stitchell House staff say goodbye to 100-year-old war veteran James Lindsay before his funeral procession leaves.

James Lindsay was one of the original members of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) Corps formed in North Africa during the Second World War to ‘keep the punch in the Army's fist'.

His funeral took place just two days before Remembrance Sunday, which he always supported with pride, complete with a bugler from Catterick who played the Last Post outside Hartlepool Crematorium.

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James’s coffin was draped with the REME flag while a 1944 Jeep and classic 1959 Rover followed the hearse and a British Legion standard bearer paraded outside the chapel.

James Lindsay turned 100 in May.James Lindsay turned 100 in May.
James Lindsay turned 100 in May.

He passed away on October 18 at Stitchell House nursing home in Greatham.

Staff turned out to wave James off for the final time as his funeral cortege left on Friday lunchtime.

Stitchell House said: “James was a huge part of our Stitchell family and he will be sorely missed by all who loved him.

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"We were all very honoured to have known such a beautiful man and he will stay in our hearts forever.”

The funeral cortege as it passed through Greatham.The funeral cortege as it passed through Greatham.
The funeral cortege as it passed through Greatham.

James’s son Raymond, who travelled from London for the service, said: “The sun came out briefly as we passed long the front at Seaton Carew.

“Kevin Leavesley was the celebrant and executed the difficult task of pulling together the accounts by myself and my sister Verity and the various tributes to my Dad.

“Warrant Officer Kelvin Redshaw travelled from Lyneham, Wiltshire to gave a tribute to James and a description of the REME that made us all feel proud.”

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Born in May 1920, James, also known as Jim, saw service in Malta and Italy during the war and was one of the last surviving founding members of REME.

He was married to Hilary, who passed away in 2018. After the war they settled in Sunderland where James worked for Rolls Royce.

When they were young the family enjoyed travelling to motorbike races including on the Isle of Man.

In 1976 James and Hilary moved to Sandhutton, Thirsk to run the village shop and Post Office.

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After retiring, the couple were enthusiastic volunteers at the James Herriot museum in Thirsk.

James lived in Greatham for the last 15 years.

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