Veteran Laid To Rest - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Veteran Laid To Rest – A FORMER Royal Artillery gunner was given a fitting send off at a well-attended funeral held at St Clements Church in Leigh.

Veteran Laid To Rest - A FORMER Royal Artillery gunner was given a fitting send off at a well-attended funeral held at St Clements Church in Leigh.

Leigh On Sea News: Veteran Laid To Rest – A FORMER Royal Artillery gunner was given a fitting send off at a well-attended funeral held at St Clements Church in Leigh.

A FORMER Royal Artillery gunner was given a fitting send off at a well-attended funeral held at St Clements Church in Leigh.

Stan Moore, who died this year aged 97, was remembered by over two hundred friends and associates from various military associations, including seven branches of the Royal Naval Association.

At his funeral, Stan’s coffin was carried on a gun carriage provided by the Royal Artillery Association from a chapel of rest to St Clements Church, where a guard of honour and standard bearers greeted his coffin.

His cortege was escorted by vintage Army motorcycles ridden by volunteers in period Army uniform.

These and the same model that Stan rode in Egypt in 1947, and had been as recreated at the Shoebury Garrison in July.

The Last Post was played by a bugler, as family, well-wishers and an ITV news crew gathered to pay their respects to a well-loved service man, father, grandfather and friend.

Mr Moore was a member of the Royal Artillery, and served as a Royal Artillery gunner through a long and varied life, but his ambitions started young.

Born in in 1927, Mr Moore was too young to enlist when World War Two started. He joined the civil defence as a messenger and firefighter during the Blitz.

After being bombed out in the East End of London he was evacuated to Wales where he ended up working in a coal mine as a Bevin Boy.

After returning, he joined the Army and got sent on active service in the 1945-48 Palestine campaign

He married his wife Joan in 1950, they had three sons: Tony, Peter and Garry.

Mr Moore became a docker, before being a school caretaker.

He was a long-time supporter of the Royal Naval Association, where he had many friends, both in East London, and in later life in Southend.

Mr Moore’s son Garry said that his father had a wonderful way of “bringing history to life” and often enjoyed giving talks to children, including in France, about his war experiences.

Garry added: “He loved sport, especially cricket, football and athletics, and while being a life-long West Ham supporter brought him more than his fair share of heartache, one of his happiest memories was taking his 3 sons to Wembley to see them win the FA cup final in 1980.”

More recently, Mr Moore found new lease of life with his friends in the Royal Naval Association in Dagenham, playing the spoons, and becoming their Rum bosun.

Described as a “wonderful character” by friend and Royal British Legion ex-chairman Bob O’Leary, Mr Moore was much loved in the community.

Mr Moore moved to Westcliff during the Covid Pandemic to live with his son Garry and his wife and daughters.

Garry explained: “Dad was looking forward to his 98th birthday, which would have been on February 26th, but he sadly died following a fall at Southend Hospital.”

Garry added: “It was hard losing my father and best friend in the same night.

“It was his ambition to reach 100, so it wasn’t the end we wanted, or expected. But I am thankful that the earth was blessed with his presence for 98 years, and what a legacy he has left.

“The funeral was absolutely marvellous, and was followed by a wake to celebrate over a tot of Rum and a video of his amazing life at The Maritime Room, Cliffs Pavilion.

“I am delighted we gave Dad the send-off he deserved.”

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