Appeal for mourners after former serviceman from Great Gidding dies without any family.
Mr Goodwin was proud of his service in the Royal Pioneer Corps. - Credit: Archant
An appeal been launched for people to attend the funeral of a former serviceman who died without any family.
Mr Goodwin lived in the same house in Great Gidding throughout his life. - Credit: Archant
Leslie John Goodwin died on January 4, at the age of 82, with no family to plan his funeral or attend the service.
Mr Goodwin served with the Royal Pioneer Corp during the 1950s before going on to work for Perkins, in Peterborough, for 40 years.
Having never married, Mr Goodwin has no family but his friends and neighbours in Great Gidding were quick to step in and are now appealing for members of the community to help give him the send-off he deserves.
Barry Delovetot-Lawson, who works for Sawtry Funeral Care, said: “I went round to speak to his neighbours who told me about what a wonderful neighbour he was.
“Others in the village have told me what a kind, unassuming, and likeable man Les was, and was always willing to help others.”
After Mr Delovetot-Lawson found out about how much Mr Goodwin was loved in the village, he wanted to do everything he could to give him a good send-off.
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Members of the Royal British Legion will also be celebrating his life by playing pipes for him at the funeral service, which is taking place on February 7. Mr Delovetot-Lawson added: “When Mr Goodwin passed away, I contacted Carol Stobbs of the Sawtry branch of the Royal British Legion. We at the Co-operative Funeral Care have a very good relationship with the legion and Carol was able to tell me about Les.
“The East of England has a high number of ex-servicemen, many now in their older years. It is important that they know we will honour them and for younger people to see the respect we have for them.
“On a personal note, I come from a proud and varied military family, so perhaps it is why I feel the need to go the extra mile for the fallen solider. I am honoured that I can play a small part in making sure one of our veterans gets the farewell he deserves.”
Mr Goodwin’s funeral is to be held at Peterborough Crematorium on February 7, at 2pm. Anyone who would like to attend the service is welcome to do so.
