VETERANS and armed forces personnel urged to attend the funeral of 96-year-old Second World War veteran today.
Cyril Porter, who grew up in Doulton Street and lived all his life in St Helens and Billinge, died on November 5.
During the war, he was in the Navy having served as an Air Mechanic in the Pacific Fleet, most notably with HMS Indefatigable and the Arctic Convoys, for which he received the Ushokov Medal.
Due to his age and his beloved wife of 78 years Kathleen dying earlier this year, Cyril has very little family left.
Cyril during the war
With this in mind his proud granddaughter Amy Finnimore, who lives in Bristol, has got in touch with the Star to ask for other veterans and military personnel to come out to pay tribute to "a true war hero."
Mum-of-one Amy, 37, said: "My granddad loved St Helens and except for the war and last few few weeks of his life, he spent his whole 96 years there.
"He was a really proud man and would never allow himself to be called a war hero, even though that's exactly what he was.
"He didn't speak of the war much, but when he did he said 'those who didn't get to come home are the heroes, they are the ones we should call heroes', that's how he felt.
"But to us he was a hero and I'd hate to think that just because he's not got many family members left, that he wouldn't get the send off he rightly deserves."
Cyril's funeral will take place today, Monday, November 25 at St Helens Crematorium from 3pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here