Funeral for 100-year-old WW2 Normandy veteran

A veteran, who fought through France and into Germany during World War Two, has been honoured at his funeral.

Ronald Cruxon, who died in August aged 100, was awarded the Legion d'Honneur by the French government in 2018.

He was also an active member of the Wollaton History Society which produced a book of his memories.

Dozens of friends and family, along with members of the Royal British Legion, paid their respects at St Leonards Church on Thursday.

Mr Cruxon's nephew, Charles Cruxon, said: "He was a character in Wollaton, he was known by virtually everyone.

"He lived virtually all his life in Wollaton, from being born in 1922 - he was a choirboy at the church.

"It has been wonderful, from the service in the church, to the guard of honour, to the Last Post being played, it was just amazing.

"If he was looking down he would have been very, very proud."

Mr Cruxon was born and raised in the Wollaton area of Nottingham but was called up in 1940 and served in the Royal Artillery.

He landed at Normandy some days after D-Day and was subsequently involved in the liberation of France and Belgium, and was with one of the first regiments to cross the Rhine into Germany in March 1944.

During lockdown he wrote his memoirs, which were published by the Wollaton Historical and Conservation Society. The proceeds helped restore a building in the gardens of Wollaton Hall.

Society chairman Andrew Hamilton said: "Ron took great pleasure in meeting people and was delighted when people asked him to autograph his book.

"He loved visiting the Walled Garden and seeing the massive amount of work done by the volunteers and marvelled at the reconstruction of the Cucumber House.

"He was delighted to be present in June when he and the Sheriff performed the formal opening.

"He will be greatly missed."

Veteran Sam Mitchell, from the Royal British Legion, said: "We are all one big family and whenever we hear of a veteran who has passed we try to give them the best send off we can.

"Especially with someone like this, with the years of service, it is an honour to be here and to be a pallbearer as well."

Lilian Greenwood, Labour MP for Nottingham South, tweeted: "Seeing so many people in St Leonard's today was testament to Ron's incredible contribution to the local community. It was a pleasure and a privilege to have known him."

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