An appeal for mourners to attend the funeral of an RAF war veteran has been launched.
Oswald Dixon was the oldest resident at Broughton House care home for veterans in Salford, Manchester, where he died on September 25. He had celebrated his 100th birthday in April, where he received birthday greetings from the Queen, work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd and Jamaican High Commissioner Seth George Ramocan.
Co-op Funeral Care in Salford has arranged Dixon’s funeral to take place at Agecroft Cemetery and Crematorium on Wednesday from 2:20pm.
Broughton House Chief Executive, Chris Lindsay, said: “Broughton House is saddened to announce the passing of former RAF servicemen Oswald Dixon who died at the age of 100 years on Wednesday, September 25.
“It is with regret that Oswald has no family members in the UK, and his funeral will take place at Agecroft Crematorium on Wednesday 9th of October”.
At his 100th birthday celebration, the centenarian stated that he “always tried to live life as it should be lived, by doing things for other people”, Lindsay said.
“His warm character will be missed by everyone involved at Broughton House,” the executive added.
Dixon joined the RAF in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1944, as a flight mechanic, before moving to Britain to serve before the conflict ended.
He rose to become a leading aircraftman and remained in the service teaching new recruits until he retired.
Dixon was living alone in Salford until 2015, when he moved to Broughton House. Due to illness and deteriorating sight, he was no longer able to live on his own; the veteran is understood to have suffered from dementia in later life.
Despite being blind, Broughton House said he would not go to sleep without a torch in his hand – one which currently with him as he lies in state at the funeral home.
Broughton House, a former merchant’s villa, opened in 1916 during the First World War to treat soldiers returning from the Front.
The High Commission of Jamaica has confirmed to HuffPost UK that it is in touch with Broughton House and will be contributing to Dixon’s funeral service by way of a special tribute.
The government of Jamaica will be represented at Dixon’s funeral by Wade Lyn, CBE, Honorary Consul of Jamaica, Birmingham.