A 95-YEAR-OLD veteran has been given the send-off he deserved thanks to a kind-hearted care home worker.

Stewart Cooney, who fought in the Second World War, died in Leeds in June but, with no living relatives, he had no one to mourn him.

Stewart Cooney fought in World War Two but faced a lonely funeral before a Facebook appeal
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Stewart Cooney fought in World War Two but faced a lonely funeral before a Facebook appealCredit: The Veterans Foundation
The former soldier – described as “lovely” and “cheeky” – lost wife Betty in 2008 and his adopted son Niall died in 2014.

But Dougie Eastwood, a trainer for the care service running Stewart’s nursing home, was determined to make sure he was given a proper funeral.

He said: “We’re in the world for such a short time. No-one deserves to go to the grave without being recognised.

Over a hundred people turned up to see Stewart off
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Over a hundred people turned up to see Stewart offCredit: SWNS – Leeds +44 (0)1179066550

The coffin was carried in by some of the mourners who answered the appeal
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The coffin was carried in by some of the mourners who answered the appealCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 

“I asked one of the nurses about Stewart and she told me he had been in World War Two. He was in the Royal Artillery and served in Egypt and Sicily. It didn’t feel right someone who served his country should pass by unnoticed.”

Dougie got in touch with the local military barracks to see if they could provide any soldiers for the service and he appealed for mourners to attend through his local newspaper and social media.

Stewart married his Barnsley Betty, who also served in the Royal Artillery, in 1944
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Stewart married his Barnsley Betty, who also served in the Royal Artillery, in 1944Credit: The Veterans Foundation
In response he got 40 phone calls from people offering support.

He said: “Shops have rung up asking if they can send flowers. The Royal Legion, Royal Artillery among others have offered escorts. I’m humbled by how the army family and local community have come together.”

Territorial Army soldiers, the Royal Artillery and a motorbike escort from the Royal British Legion Riders gave Stewart a military send-off
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Territorial Army soldiers, the Royal Artillery and a motorbike escort from the Royal British Legion Riders gave Stewart a military send-offCredit: SWNS – Leeds +44 (0)1179066550
One woman, Lynda Gomersall, wrote and delivered a eulogy after speaking to Cooney’s carers and looked through old records.

She said: “I don’t think anybody should go without recognition, especially soldiers.”

The Last Post was played during Stewarts's funeral
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The Last Post was played during Stewarts’s funeralCredit: SWNS – Leeds +44 (0)1179066550
Soldiers from various regiments offered to attend the funeral – which was held today – and the Dundee man’s final journey was accompanied by a piper and an escort from the Royal British Legion motorcycle corps.

The coffin was taken for burial in Pudsey, West Yorkshire.

One organiser Martyn Simpson said: “We never let a brother go alone.”