One of Britain’s last surviving World War Two paratroopers dies aged 97 – as heartbroken family appeal for mourners to attend his funeral

• ‘Herbie’ Bray joined the war in 1944 aged 18 and served at the Rhine crossing 
• Grandson Jordan Jane said Mr Bray was ‘our hero as kids and still is now’ 

A family has appealed for mourners to attend the funeral of one of the last-surviving WW2 paratroopers.

Herbert ‘Herbie’ Samuel Bray, from Mullion, Cornwall, died recently aged 97. His grandson, Jordan Jane, 26, described the veteran as a ‘remarkable man and soldier’ whose life ‘served the country’.

Mr Jane, from Truro, Cornwall, said serving and former personnel attending the funeral were invited to wear uniforms and medals.

Jordan said: ‘Grandad was our hero as kids and still is now, he was humble, loyal and an all round top man.

‘He was an inspiration to us always and his stories of the war were incredible to hear.

‘He looked after us a lot as kids and always took us on trips, we were his world and you could really tell that.’

Herbert ‘Herbie’ Samuel Bray photographed during his service days as a paratrooper in WW2

Mr Bray (pictured here with his wife, Rita), died recently aged 97 and the community have been invited to attend his funeral 

Mr Bray joined the war in 1944 aged 18, serving at the Rhine crossing and then in Palestine as a paratrooper. Pictured (from R): Herbert Bray, wife Rita, and grandson Ben at Trebah Garden Cornwall’s military day

Herbert Samuel Bray (centre) pictured during his time as captain for Mullion FC

Herbert ‘Herbie’ Samuel Bray (second right) photographed with servicemen during his service days as a paratrooper in WW2

Mr Bray joined the war in 1944 aged 18, serving at the Rhine crossing and then in Palestine as a paratrooper.

He later went on to captain Mullion Football Club after returning home from service, and lived lived in Mullion most of his life.

Jordan hoped to cherish Herbert’s memory after naming his newborn baby ‘Herbie’ and hopes the service will bring to light the positive impact his Grandfather had on those around him.

Mr Jane added: ‘As one of the last surviving paratroopers to have served in the Second World War, we invite anyone to come to the procession and funeral to pay their respect to a remarkable man.

‘Anyone who is military or ex-military is invited to wear their uniform and/or medals in honour of Herbie’s life served to the country.’

The funeral will take place at Mullion Parish Church at 11:00 GMT on 7 November after a procession through the village beginning 10:45.

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