War veteran to get guard of honour

GEORGE celebrating his 102nd birthday with his wife Gladys

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

A FORMER prisoner of war of the Japanese who has passed away at the age of 102 will receive a guard of honour at his funeral.

George Glass, passed away peacefully on November 14 at a residential care home, where he resided with his wife Gladys (94).

His funeral will be held on Friday, December 2 at Blackley Crematorium where he will receive a guard of honour - but a time has not yet been allocated.

As well as being a war veteran, George was also secretary at Brookdale Golf Club in Failsworth for 22 years and the club also organised a surprise VJ Day/George Glass celebration in his honour.

Prior to his passing George celebrated his 102nd birthday in August at Lindenwood Care Home, Moston, where representatives from the poppy appeal and friends came to celebrate.

Born in 1914, George joined the army in 1933 and was captured by the Japanese in 1941 in Changi, Singapore, and was held in a Japanese prisoner of war camp for more than three years.

During his time there he contracted six tropical diseases and his life was saved in an emergency operation when Captain Eric Cruickshank drained fluid from his brain.

The doctor then prevented the Japanese officers from sending George to the railways as he was too weak to travel.

He was released by the Americans after the Japanese surrendered in 1945 and was taken to Canada before he was transferred back to England.

George stayed in the Army until 1955 and married Gladys during this time at Preston barracks.

George Betney, a close friend, said that George would be sorely missed and thanked Lindenwood Care Home for the excellent care they gave him.

He said: "He died peacefully. He will be missed by many of his colleagues and friends and especially the staff from Lindenwood.

"I would like to thank the staff at Lindenwood Care home and how good they have been to George, especially Ann, the owner, who works extremely hard there. She stayed up all night with George on the Sunday night before his death."

A spokeswoman for Lindenwood Care Home said: "George passed away peacefully with his wife present at his side. It is going to be very sad. He was a very popular man and he was a real gentleman.

"He will be missed by all, not just by the staff but by all the residents also."