A second world war Wellington bomber pilot laid to rest at St Peter's Church, Newton-on-Trent
RAF personnel came to attention as the Union Flag-draped coffin of a daring second world war Wellington bomber pilot was carried into a village church.
Philip Bruce Minnitt, known as Bruce, 96, was buried at St Peter's Church, Newton-on-Trent, the village where he had spent most of his life, on Friday.
The Rev Joan Vickers greeted the coffin as it arrived at St Peter's and lead the procession into the small 12th century church, which was filled to the brim — so much so that the service was relayed to those unable to squeeze via a PA system to a tent outside.
An honour guard from RAF College Cranwell came to attention as Mr Minnitt, known as Bruce's coffin, which was also topped with his RAF uniform, entered.
The service began with the poem He Has Gone and the opening hymn was I Vow to Thee My Country.
Mr Minnitt, who was born in Laneham, learned to fly in Canada, seeing active service in Italy, India and the Far East.
Grandson Julian Patrick in his eulogy recounted Mr Minnitt's wartime escapades that included his being shot down by German Messerschmitt 109 fighters, which resulted in a crash landing that saved his crew's lives.
After the war, Mr Minnitt, who is survived by his wife Babs of 75 years, ran haulage and farming businesses.
In 2010, Mr Minnitt, described as extraordinary, became the first person to be awarded the freedom of the parish of Newton-on-Trent.
At the time that Mr Minnitt was buried there was a flypast of training aircraft from Cranwell as the honour guard saluted.
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