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LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND — When 99-year-old veteran Harold Jellicoe "Coe" Percival died last month, he had no friends or family close by to attend his funeral. His short obituary gave a final plea: "Any service personnel who can attend his funeral service would be appreciated." What happened next was an outpouring of love and support for a lonely WWII veteran in a small coastal town in England.
An anonymous Twitter user, described as a "wife, mother, responsible citizen" first tweeted out Percival's obituary after it appeared in the Lytham St. Annes Express, according to its sister paper The Gazette. After hundreds of retweets and shares to Facebook, it was noticed by Sgt. Rick Clement.
Clement had been badly injured in the war in Afghanistan and lost both his legs during an explosion in 2010 while serving for England. He was touched by the obituary and asked his family and friends on Facebook to attend if they could.
"I need a big favour from any military or ex-serving members. This fallen soldier at 99-years-old is having a funeral on Monday and he has no family to attend," Clement wrote on Facebook. "If you're in the area give him the send off he deserves. This guy needs and deserves your help."
And the viral tweet started gaining support from prominent local figures, including former English political leaders and comedians.
Percival's nephew, David Worsell, was unable to attend the funeral, but told The Gazette he was "immensely proud" of his uncle.
I need a big favour from any military or ex- serving members. This fallen soldier at 99- years-old is having a funeral on Monday and he has no family to attend. If you're in the area give him the send off he deserves. This guy needs and deserves your help.
–Sgt. Rick Clement Facebook post
"He served his country with great distinction. I am personally immensely proud of him. He spoke about his work with Bomber Command and the legendary Dam Busters squadron, and meeting Guy Gibson, who led the raid in 1943.
"He was a very proud person, but also very private. I didn't know him too well until later in his life and I hope many people can attend his funeral," Worsell told the Gazette.
Worsell said Percival was born in 1914 and he never married or had any children. His nephew believes he spent much of his life in Australia after the war and never stayed in one place for very long.
"As far as I know, he never really had any friends and was a bit of a loner," Worsell said.
Percival moved into the nursing home Alistre Lodge Care Home after he fractured his hip. One of the caregiver's said he was independent and liked to do his own thing.
"He kept himself to himself really — as long as he had a cup of tea he was happy," Janet Wareing said. "He was strong-willed and had his own mind. He often spoke about being part of the Dam Busters with great pride."
Percival died on Oct. 25, 2013. The plea from Clement was heard and hundreds of people showed up to honor Percival.
Mourners at Harold Percival's funeral singing Jerusalem. 100 are inside with around 400 more outside. pic.twitter.com/BG4oDcH6uk — Nick Garnett (@nicholasgarnett) November 11, 2013
> Funeral of Harold Percival - cortège arrives. [pic.twitter.com/Yq2inMnS8f](http://t.co/Yq2inMnS8f) > > — Nick Garnett (@nicholasgarnett) [November 11, 2013](https://twitter.com/nicholasgarnett/statuses/399852163121164288)
> Mourners pay their respects to Harold Percival [pic.twitter.com/J8qDpUzYDg](http://t.co/J8qDpUzYDg) > > — Steve Becker (@SteveBeckerHack) [November 11, 2013](https://twitter.com/SteveBeckerHack/statuses/399857821283811328)
> The Dambusters theme plays as Harold Jellicoe Percival's coffin is carried into the chapel. Crowd of 300+. [pic.twitter.com/ofXZH2Xfiv](http://t.co/ofXZH2Xfiv) > > — Helen Pidd (@helenpidd) [November 11, 2013](https://twitter.com/helenpidd/statuses/399855596532678656)
Over 500 people attended the funeral, including many service men and women. Percival's relatives, including Worsell, spoke to BBC Radio 5 afterward.
"This is just remarkable. He was a quiet man, he was an ordinary man. He did his duty and served in the war," Worsell said. "And to see so many people showing up, it's just overwhelming."
