Appeal for mourners to attend funeral of Royal Scots Fusiliers veteran, 98, who has no family

An appeal has been made for mourners to attend the funeral of a war veteran who has passed away with no known family or friends.

Maurice Winspear, 98, served in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and spent four years deployed on active service on the front line in Italy during the Second World War as well as tours in Syria, Palestine and Egypt.

Described as a quiet and humble man, his campaign medals were his pride and joy as well as listening to Middlesborough football games on the radio after losing his sight in recent years.

The 98-year-old passed away recently in a care home in Nunthorpe, Middlesborough, north Yorkshire.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday May 31 at 2pm at Kirkleatham Crematorium, in Redcar, Yearby. 

Sue Dicken, an east Cleveland based celebrant, is officiating at his funeral and she has reached out to the Teesside community with an appeal for mourners to attend to help give Maurice the send off he deserves.

She posted her appeal on to social media which has since been shared across Teesside branches of the Royal British Legion, who are sending a Standard bearer to the service.

An appeal has been made for mourners to attend the funeral of Royal Scots Fusiliers war veteran Maurice Winspear, 98 (pictured), who has passed away at a care home in Nunthorpe with no known family or friends

She has spent time trying to find out more about Maurice and has discovered he was born on Whitby in 1923, served his country and then worked for the United bus company on Teesside and later, at British Steel.

‘Many of you will know that I work as a celebrant. I would like to reach out to our community in the hope that some of you may be able to help,’ said Sue.

‘Maurice Winspear aged 98 years passed away in a care home, he has no family and friends.

‘Maurice was a very private, quiet, and humble man who didn’t speak about his past, here’s the thing… I have discovered that Maurice served in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and spent four years deployed on active service on the front line in Italy during the Second World War, he also spent time in Syria, Palestine, and Egypt.

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His funeral will be held on Tuesday May 31 at 2pm at Kirkleatham Crematorium (pictured), in Redcar, Yearby. Sue Dicken, an east Cleveland based celebrant, is officiating at his funeral and she has reached out to the Teesside community with an appeal for mourners to attend to help give Maurice the send off he deserves

‘In recent years Maurice lost his sight and his favourite thing in life was to listen to the Boro games on the radio, in addition to this his most precious possessions were his campaign medals.

‘Having this information, I felt incredibly sad that this gentleman’s funeral could potentially be unattended.

‘I have contacted the British Legion and they are going to attend with their Standard, however I would like to appeal to anyone who may be able to attend Maurice’s funeral.’