A WORLD War II veteran's long lost sister was among around 200 mourners who paid homage to the war hero who died last month.

Stewart Cooney died aged 95 at a nursing home and it was feared there would be no family to attend his funeral.

However, Helen Walker, 84, made the trip over from Manchester with her sons Scott and Stewart for the funeral, after Leeds-based tracing agency Finder Monkey got in touch with the care home where Stewart was living to say they would like to help find relatives.

The tracing agency managed to find Helen and she received a call telling her that Stewart had died and his funeral was to be held today.

Helen said: "I was surprised by the amount of people that came. I was under the impression that there would only be a few people here.

"When I first walked into the crematorium I thought I was in the wrong place because of the amount of people that were there.

"I'm thankful he had a good send-off and I'm sad I didn't get to see him before he went.

"It has been years since I saw him. I think it was at a wedding and he was there with his wife."

Helen's said despite writing to Stewart over the years, the pair fell out of touch and she only found out her nephew Neil died when she got a call telling her Stewart had passed away on Monday.

She added: "He would never tell you anything. I only find out Neil died on Monday."

Scott, 48, said: "My brother was named after our uncle Stewart.

"Every time I met him he would make us laugh. He had a very dry sense of humour, but he was thrifty though. I think that was the Scottish side of him."

Around 200 people, including former servicemen, members of the public and carers, turned out at Rawdon Crematorium to pay their final respects to the former World War II gunner.

The large turn-out came after Dougie Eastwood, area trainer for BUPA Care Services which runs Colton Lodges nursing home where Stewart died in Leeds, launched an appeal for representatives of the Armed Forces and the Royal British Legion to attend their comrade's funeral.

Dougie said: "I'm quite humbled by the fact that this family of soldiers have come together to bury this gentlemen with respect and dignity.

"We're in the world for such a short time, no-one deserves to go to the grave without being recognised.

"I couldn't see his funeral only attended by a couple of care workers, a social worker and a priest."

He was escorted to the crematorium by members of the Royal British Legion Riders.

Around eight bikers led the cortege in through the crematorium's gates while the rest of the group of 40 riders followed in behind.

Members of the Royal British Legion Riders then carried Stewart's coffin, draped in the Union Flag and topped with his regimental cap, inside the crematorium.

The service lasted just under 40 minutes, with Stewart carried out of the crematorium to Frank Sinatra's My Way before the funeral party made its way towards Pudsey Cemetery.

Three buglers in full army dress regalia also played the last post to mark their fallen comrade.

Stewart's regimental number - 883220 - was arranged in a floral display by his graveside alongside a group of funeral bouquets and wreaths of poppies.

Stewart Cooney's long lost sister was among around 200 mourners who paid homage to the World War II veteran who died last month.

Helen Walker, 84, made the trip over from Manchester with her sons Scott and Stewart for the funeral, after Leeds-based tracing agency Finder Monkey got in touch with the care home where Stewart was living to say they would like to help to find relatives.

The tracing agency managed to find Helen and she received a call telling her that Stewart had died and his funeral was to be held today (Friday).

Helen said: "I was surprised by the amount of people that came. I was under the impression that there would only be a few people here.

"When I first walked into the crematorium I thought I was in the wrong place because of the amount of people that were there.

"I'm thankful he had a good send-off and I'm sad I didn't get to see him before he went.

"It has been years since I saw him. I think it was at a wedding and he was there with his wife."

Helen's said despite writing to Stewart over the years, the pair fell out of touch and she only found out her nephew Neil died when she got a call telling her Stewart had passed away on Monday (June 18).

She added: "He would never tell you anything. I only find out Neil died on Monday."

Scott, 48, said: "My brother was named after our uncle Stewart.

"Every time I met him he would make us laugh. He had a very dry sense of humour, but he was thrifty though. I think that was the Scottish side of him.

"What I most remember about him was at a family wedding and he was getting everyone up dancing.

"We have a massive family but it has got to the point where he have struggled to stay in touch.

"It is incredible that we have been here today.

"I was thinking how much he should have been here to see this. It has been an amazing turnout and I'm totally humbled by it.

Around 200 people, including former servicemen, members of the public and carers, turned out at Rawdon Crematorium in Leeds, West Yorks., to pay their final respects to former World War II gunner Stewart Cooney.

Stewart, who died aged 95 in June, was escorted to the crematorium by members of the Royal British Legion Riders.

Around eight bikers led the cortege in through the crematorium's gates while the rest of the group of 40 riders followed in behind.

Members of the Royal British Legion Riders then carried Stewart's coffin, draped in the Union Flag and topped with his regimental cap, inside the crematorium.

The service lasted just under 40 minutes, with Stewart carried out of the crematorium to Frank Sinatra's My Way before the funeral party made its way towards Pudsey Cemetery.

Three buglers in full army dress regalia also played the last post to mark their fallen comrade.

Stewart's regimental number - 883220 - was arranged in a floral display by his graveside alongside a group of funeral bouquets and wreaths of poppies.

One message read: "Rest in peace to a man we didn't know but to whom we owe much."

Another said: "Once a gunner always a gunner stand easy now with love and respect from all ranks who served in 45 field regiment."

A poppy wreath read: "In honour of our fellow gunner. God bless."

Former serviceman Steve Oakley, 73, who came to pay his respects, said: "When the call goes out, you answer.

"We consider ourselves part of a family and Stewart did more than his bit for his country.

"I thought he had no known relatives, but I found out today he had a sister."

Anthony Scott, 54, who served in the RAF between 1978 and 1986 and also came along to the funeral, said: "Stewart was a real hero and it is disappointing to see that no politician came here today in an official capacity but I did see Stuart Andrew (Pudsey MP) here in a personal capacity.

"I was struck by his film star looks. Today he would end up in movies."

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