Yesterday I attended the funeral of Alan Whitlow (Ginger), whose death I recently posted on here. He had a good send off, being a well liked and well loved family man. Tributes were read and we included Masefield's poem Sea Fever, which I thought appropriate. After his committal I spoke with his widow and showed her, on my Ipad, the comments and thoughts expressed by members in tribute to Alan. She seemed quite moved by the fact that people whom she'd never met and probably never would, from around the world would honour him with words of condolence. I think she took great comfort from those words. Alan had erected a 30ft high flagpole in his garden which proudly displayed his Union Jack. After he died his family lowered the Flag to half mast in respect. On the eve of his funeral I suggested the Standard should be raised to full mast in tribute as he made his final journey. When I left yesterday his flag was fluttering proudly from the mast head.

Gilly.