The funeral of Newark war hero Jim Auton, one of last surviving heroes of Warsaw Uprising, to be held on February 6
The funeral of war hero Mr Jim Auton takes place a week on Thursday, February 6, at Newark Parish Church, at 1pm.
Organisers are hoping as many people as possible will attend because Mr Auton, had no family following the death of his wife, Peggy, in 2016.
His carer, Paul Trickett, said: “It would be a great shame if one of our nation’s last surviving and most highly decorated second world war heroes didn’t get a send-off befitting of him.
“Hopefully, we can enlist the support of our local population.”
Mr Auton, 95, of Newark, was one of the last surviving heroes of the Warsaw Uprising during the second world war.
In 1944, he flew dangerous missions to drop vital supplies and ammunition in support of those fighting Nazi rule in Warsaw.
On his 37th wartime mission he was seriously wounded.
Mr Auton went on to raise £3m for the Air Bridge Association and was responsible for the Warsaw Air Bridge Memorial in Newark Cemetery.
In recognition of his efforts, Mr Auton was awarded 20 medals, the latest of which was received in December.
The Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland was awarded by decreed by President Duda, of Poland, and is the highest award a foreigner can receive.
Mr Auton received thousands of messages of support from Polish wellwishers when his health started deteriorating.
Weather and operational commitments permitting, there may be a flypast from an RAF aircraft during his burial at Newark Cemetery following the service.
Serving aircrew from RAF Waddington made frequent visits to Mr Auton to talk to him about his wartime exploits in the final months of his life.
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