Maurice Winspear: Hundreds say goodbye to Teesside war veteran

The funeral of Maurice Winspear, who served in Italy during the Second World War and later in Syria, Palestine and Egypt could have been a solitary affair.

But after the 98-year-old died with no known family or surviving friends, funeral celebrate Sue Dicken made an appeal for mourners to come and give the veteran the send-off he deserved.

Hundreds of people responded to the call and attended the ceremony at Kirkleatham Crematorium on Tuesday.

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The hearse carrying his coffin was led by a cortege of bikers from the Eight & Aces, bag pipers and a military procession carrying standards.

Ms Dicken said: “I’m completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people in attendance today. I would like to take the opportunity to thank each and every person who took the time to pay their respects and be part of Maurice’s final goodbye.

“Some might say it was the incredible power of social media. I prefer to believe it’s a reflection of true human kindness. For that I’m eternally grateful.”

Born in Whitby in 1923, the seaside town remained his favourite place and he maintained an enduring love of the sea.

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He joined the Army as a teenager and served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers during the Second World War. He was part of the Sicily landings in 1943, a brutal campaign which earned him three Italian Star campaign medals.

He later served in Syria, Palestine and Egypt and when he returned bought a house in Redcar and started working as a fitter for United Bus Company before embarking on a career at British Steel.

He loved gardening, listening to his cassettes of Bing Crosby and was a devoted Middlesbrough FC fan.

After losing his sight, he moved to Upsall House Care Home, in Nunthorpe, where he lived for the last 13 years of his life.

No longer able to watch matches, his favourite pastime became listening to Boro matches on the radio and as a nod to his love for the club, one of its chants was played during the service.

Ms Dicken added: “They say old soldiers never die, they just fade away. I couldn’t stand here today and just let Maurice fade away. This brave and unassuming gentleman deserved to be recognised and your attendance here has confirmed that.”

Carers Charlotte Taylor and Bethany Younes, who work at Upsall House, spent a lot of time with Mr Winspear.

They attended along with other carers and former workers at the home.

Describing him as “private and humble, Bethany said: “It’s lovely. It’s such a beautiful send-off.

“We were very proud.”

Charlotte added: “It was his home and we were his family. He got the send-off he deserved.”

Major Pat Ralph, MM, from Yarm, who is chairman of the Yorkshire Regiment Association, said: “For me, I came along because of total respect for an individual like Maurice who did everything he could for his family, and his fellow countrymen and defended the country and the faith.

“He was one of the lucky ones who managed to get through and see it through to the end. A lot of his colleagues didn’t and we remember then on Remembrance Day, as we will remember Maurice this November.”

John Main, from Peterlee, who was one of the bikers from the Eight & Aces, said: “I’m a veteran myself so with Maurice not having any family to give him a send-off we wanted to. We felt like it was our duty.

“I was amazed at the turnout.”

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