A CANADIAN airman who made the North-East his home and helped to inspire a campaign to honour a forgotten hero was given a military funeral yesterday.

Jimmy Amlin was buried in his adopted home of Sedgefield, County Durham, after his death, aged 87.

Mr Amlin was a first-class leading aircraftman with the Royal Canadian Air Force and served at RAF Middleton St George, near Darlington.

He and his wife, Betty, were behind a campaign to honour Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski, who also flew out of Middleton St George. He died after saving his friend, Pat Brophy, onboard their blazing bomber.

More than 150 people packed into St John Fisher Church, in Sedgefield, and the town centre came to a standstill shortly before noon as onlookers stopped out of respect when the hearse carrying Mr Amlin’s coffin arrived.

The hearse was preceded by a bagpiper and Mr Amlin’s son, Edsel, carrying the Royal Canadian Air Force standard.

Outside the church, standards from military groups, including the Durham Light Infantry, formed a guard of honour for his coffin draped in the Canadian flag and his medals. Airmen from RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, took guard. The Maple Leaf was flown at half-mast, with a wreath placed below.

Father John Caden, a family friend since 1966, and Father Shaun Swales, led the 90- minute requiem mass. Fr Caden, who was at Sedgefield Community Hospital when Mr Amlin died on October 10, said Mr Amlin led a “life of dedication to people”.

Lieutenant Colonel Art Agnew, of the Royal Canadian Air Force, said: “He was a fellow who exemplified the idea of turning the other cheek. He was a gentle soul who cared for and loved everyone.”

He read a letter from James Wright, Canada’s High Commissioner to the UK, who said: “Jimmy was one of a kind and truly a great Canadian.”

Yours, a song by Vera Lynn, and a speech by Father John Lardie, ex-Royal Canadian Air Force chaplain, were played.

The service concluded with the Last Post, a two-minute silence and the Canadian and British national anthems.

Mr Amlin was buried at Sedgefield Cemetery and a reception was held at St George Hotel, Middleton St George.

Mr Amlin was born in Ontario, in March 1923.

He took part in the D-Day Landings, but was posted to Middleton St George after being injured. It was there he met Betty at midnight mass on Christmas Eve 1944.

He also leaves a son, Edsel, and grandchildren Jen and Michael.