Family celebrates veteran's life

Mr Allingham died at his care home at the age of 113

A grandson of Henry Allingham said his family's sense of loss was quickly turning into a sense of celebration of the First World War veteran's life.

David Gray, 61, who lives in Michigan, said he was looking forward to remembering a "loving man" at his funeral in Brighton on Thursday.

"We have moved from it being a tragedy to it being something very special.

"All of the people who have been remembering my grandfather are making that happen," he said.

Hundreds of people are expected to line the streets ahead of the service at St Nicholas' Church.

It comes down to a list of personal memories, all of which translate into him being a very caring and loving individual David Gray

Businessman Mr Gray will pay tribute to his grandfather at the funeral.

He said: "We have had the benefit of hearing of his experiences of historic events that a historian wouldn't understand and that is tremendous.

"He remembered seeing King George riding on horseback, witnessing the first aeroplane fly overhead and having lunch on board the Titanic.

"Who else has had those experiences?

"What is perhaps most important is that he had such a tremendous memory and could remember all of those events in as greater detail as he could events last week."

Mr Gray said he had been overwhelmed by love people expressed for his grandfather, who died at the age of 113.

He added: "First and foremost, Henry is my grandfather, beyond that it comes down to a list of personal memories, all of which translate into him being a very caring and loving individual."

Mr Allingham died at a care home for blind ex-service personnel in Ovingdean, near Brighton, earlier this month.

The funeral procession will make its way from St Dunstan's Centre in Ovingdean at 1100 BST and travel along Marine Parade, King's Road, West Street and Dyke Street before it arrives at the church.

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