Funeral celebrates life of D-Day veteran, 102

John Graham was awarded France's highest honour for his service as a D-Day veteran

A funeral has been held to celebrate the life of a 102-year-old D-Day veteran.

Friends, family and fellow veterans packed into St Paul's Church in Holgate, York, in memory of John Graham.

He had received the Légion d'Honneur - France's highest honour - for his service in Normandy.

His death came just before the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944.

As one of the last remaining D-Day veterans in the city, his son Paul said he was always celebrated in his community.

Paul gave a eulogy at the service, which included plenty of humour and happy memories.

"It was difficult to know what to include, having lived for 102 years, there's a lot of material there," Paul told BBC Radio York.

"We had grown closer together and had some good times, it was a great send-off."

John Graham's great -grandson hopes to follow in his military footsteps

Thomas, Mr Graham's great-grandson, said he had lived a life filled with "really proud moments" for the family to admire.

"I’m going to try to follow in his footsteps in the military,” he said, adding that he would be starting at an army foundation college in Harrogate next year.

An applause broke out when Mr Graham's coffin was being carried out

As well as family, members of the Royal British Legion attended the funeral.

Denise Edgar, chairwoman of the York branch, said it was an "honour" to be there and that she was proud to have known Mr Graham.

"We can all remember the date of D-Day but it’s the guys that went on afterwards [we should remember]," she said.

"Those who did make it home... rebuilt the country. They were content without any moans, without any real help available to them, and got on with life."

The service ended with the playing of The Last Post and attendees formed a guard of honour.

Applause then broke out as Mr Graham's coffin was carried out.

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