A LONG-SERVING former North-East soldier is to be given a full military send-off at the home of London's Chelsea Pensioners.

County Durham-born John William Fishwick, who lived at the Royal Hospital, home of the Chelsea Pensioners, for the past 18 months, died last week at the age of 66.

He collapsed and died while heading with a fellow pensioner on a trip to Edinburgh for the Military Tattoo.

His funeral will be held at the Royal Hospital, followed by cremation in London, on Friday.

Mr Fishwick is so well thought of among top brass with his former regiment, the Durham Light Infantry, that some form of memorial is planned in the county for former friends and service colleagues.

Born the son of a miner at Bearpark, near Durham City, he joined the local cadet force at the age of 11.

His father's death in a pit fall at Bearpark Colliery, in 1942, left its scars, and on leaving school he worked only a short time at the pit before quitting to join the Army.

He saw service with the DLI's 2nd Battalion in Germany, Cyprus and Borneo, reaching the rank of sergeant.

After leaving the Army he lived in Newton Aycliffe, giving up much of his time to help the local cadet force and Territorial Army detachment.

Brother-in-law George Bailey, who met John in the DLI and went on to marry his sister, Agnes, said: "He was in the Army all his working life. It was his life, and when he left he worked religiously with the cadets and TA."

Details of the memorial will be announced later by the Durham Light Infantry Association.