THE funeral will take place on Monday (18 May) of one of Thurrock's heroes of the Second World War.

Members of the Grays community will get their chance to pay respects to Frank William Elliott, 95, who died last month.

Frank flew with Bomber Command in the Second World War on special operations. On D-Day his mission was to fly up and down the French coast using anti-radar technology to baffle the German defences as the Allies' armada approached.

For his service on those missions he was awarded the Légion d'Honneur by the French Government.

He served on many other missions and was highly decorated for his service, once surviving a crash when his plane burst into flames.

Frank was born in 1924 and was the eldest of six and had five sisters.

They were a close family and Frank played a key role in it after his mum died when he was only 10, He helped his dad to bring up his younger sisters showing the strength of character which he had all his life.

At the age of 16 he falsified his age to join the Home Guard in a bid to help in the war, but in December 1942 he joined the RAF where he was involved in secret missions over Europe and was lucky to escape a crash landing as his aircraft burst into flames.

While he was serving in the RAF, in 1944, he married Ellen and they went on to have five children altogether, Ellen, Frank, John, Alan and Paul and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

After he left the RAF they lived in London for a while later moving to South Ockendon in the early 1950s while there he was to become part of the community for more than 65 years where he became a well-liked and respected figure in the community.

Though age and illness eventually took its tool even up to a couple of years ago he would go to local church and the Saturday club at the local library where he made many friends. He also joined the local model motor boat society going every Sunday.

Frank was always proud of his service in the RAF, he was a member of the Thurrock branch of the RAFA and he would never miss out on their monthly meetings where he enjoyed his pint of of Guinness. He would also participate in all the Remembrance services and reunions with his fellow servicemen.

His son Alan recalls: "Even in his latter life he showed his true character after the death of mum, he would live a busy independent life doing his own shopping washing and cooking.

"He was still driving well into his 90s which gave him the chance to participate in his clubs and see his friends, even when was living in a care home he was always well liked by the other residents and staff and would love to get out and visit his friends and comrades at Grays RAFA Club."

And on Monday friends and comrades are set to honour Frank as his cortege passes the club on Southend Road around 12.20pm priot to a service at Corbets Tey. They will also be remembering another club member, Reg Kingham, 89, who also recently passed away and whose funeral will also take place on Monday, in Bedford.

Joy at the RAF club as member survives – but tears for three who have passed away.

MP's tribute to club members.