Basildon D-Day hero Don Sheppard funeral in pictures

Well-wishers have lined the streets and filled St Martin's Church to pay their respects to Don Sheppard, a former sapper who risked his life fighting on D-Day, at Arnhem and North Africa during the Second World War, following his death aged 104 last month.

Residents and other veterans listened to the service on speakers outside of the packed church (Image: Steve Brading) As a mark of respect, Don’s funeral cortege received a police escort as it drove from the funeral parlour to pass the home in Methersgate where Don lived with his wife Sandra for more than 60 years.

Hero's send off - Crowds of veterans, cadets, friends and family have gathered together to pay their respects to Don on his final journey (Image: Steve Brading) Phil Calladine, friend, veteran and Basildon Armed Forces and Veteran Club member alongside Don, said: "He's a local legend.

"I've known him a long time and even at 104 he'd always manage to come to breakfast. He was completely determined.

"This is how he would've wanted to be remembered."

A police escort led the funeral cortege into town - passing his home (Image: Steve Brading) The war hero passed away peacefully from pneumonia on September 7, surrounded by his family and friends.

Even up to the day before he died, people visiting patients on the same ward were going up to his bed and asking to shake his hand.

The funeral procession outside St Martin's Church - including the Shoebury and Southend branch of Royal Artillery Association (Image: Steve Brading) Former MP Angela Smith, now Baroness Smith of Basildon, added: "There's nowhere else we'd want to be today."

"He was humble, but he was also really fun," Lady Smith recalled.

The procession entering St Martin's Church this morning (Image: Steve Brading)

"He was great company and I think he especially enjoyed the company of young people. I think he lived a life of service, of putting others first and enjoying life. It was a life well lived."

Don, who was born in Laindon and later moved to Basildon, had suffered several bouts of pneumonia in recent years and in April he was on the brink of death. 

Don's coffin was draped with a Union Jack flag (Image: Steve Brading)

However, he was so determined to hold on for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June, that he bounced back.

Paying tribute to Don, council leader Gavin Callaghan said: "I think the thing about Don is that he was always really humble.

"He lived an extraordinary life of service and even in his later years was always on hand to come to events, Armed Forces Day parades, Remembrance Day parades - he was always present."