A World War Two veteran from Halesowen who was going to be buried in front of a few people will now get a send off fit for a hero.

The Royal British Legion and the Ex-Serviceman's Association sounded the clarion call for members, veterans and Black Country folk to attend Jack Rowe 's funeral at 3.30pm tomorrow (December 1st) at Stourbridge Crematorium.

A bugler will play the last post at and standard bearers will lower military flags as the coffin of widower Jack is put in his final resting place. Norman Catton, chairman of Cradley Royal British Legion and Ex-Servicemen Association, said:

"Jack never spoke about what he did in the war, he had done his duty and that was enough for him.

"He served on the bombers with the RAF throughout the war and those boys had it bad, the pilots, navigators and gunners were not expected to last very long.

"He would have seen so many of his friends die, war held extremely bad memories for him, he certainly did not want to talk about those dark days."

Mr Catton, aged 81, added: "Jack was a private person, I used to speak to him, he'd always put his money in the poppy box, his wife had died several years ago, he was tired, he had done his bit.

"But we want to give him a bloody good send off so we want as many people there as possible, his family feel the same too."

He added: "If you are an ex-serviceman or woman then come along and wear your medals with pride."

Cradley Royal British Legion standard bearer David Brenton will be attending the funeral. He said: "We want as many people to honour Jack Rowe as we can, there are not many of his kind left anymore."

"Hopefully, Royal British Legion members from across the Midlands will make their way to Stourbridge to pay their respects to a hero."