Last Post sounded for ex-PoW George, 102

STANDARD bearers at the funeral of former Japanese PoW George Glass

MILITARY veterans gathered to pay their last respects to former Japanese prisoner of war George Glass, who died aged 102.

Standard bearers from the Royal British Legion led his funeral procession at Blackley Crematorium.

His coffin was draped in a Union flag, with his military medals placed on a red cushion.

Captured

A bugler from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment also played the Last Post during the moving service on Friday.

George joined the Army in 1933 and was held in a prisoner of war camp for more than three years, after being captured by the Japanese in Singapore in 1941.

He contracted several tropical diseases and his life was saved by an emergency operation to drain fluid from his brain. The doctor then prevented Japanese officers from sending George to work on the railways - which for many was a death sentence - as he was too weak to travel.

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

He was in the Army until 1955, at Preston Barracks and married Gladys during this time.

The couple did not have children and George passed away peacefully on November 14, the day after Remembrance Sunday, at Lindenwood Care Home, Moston, where he lived with his 94-year-old wife.

Attended

Military veterans attended the service, along with members of Brookdale golf and bowling clubs in Failsworth, where he was secretary and president respectively, and Albert Lodge, Shaw, which he attended.

Close friend George Betney said the funeral was a lovely tribute and added: "He was a gentleman and a grand chap.

"Everybody who met him agreed."