Goodbye, George (From Gazette Series)

Goodbye, George

FAMILY, friends and veterans of the Royal British Legion gathered last Friday to pay their respects to a man described simply as "larger than life".

The funeral of Dursley's RBL branch president George Fry, who died in a fire at his home two weeks ago, brought the centre of Dursley to a standstill. Representatives from various legion branches across Gloucestershire performed a guard of honour for the veteran as his coffin, carried by family members, was taken into St James the Great Church.

As a tribute to Mr Fry's time in the Royal Signals and to mark his commitment to the Royal British Legion, the Last Post was played by a lone bugle player giving friends and family a time for reflection on the man that had meant so much to them.

Mr Fry, 74, was killed when a fire ripped through his Water Street home on January 4. Mr Fry's beloved Labrador Jack, faithful until the end, also died in the blaze. At the funeral Jack's ashes were carried in a small casket.

The Rev Janet Bromley, rector at St James', shared with those gathered to remember the colourful and full life Mr Fry had led.

She told the congregation: "George lived his life to the full.

"He had a hard head in business but he was full of compassion for the disadvantaged."

Mrs Bromley described Mr Fry as a motorbike lover who loved to race.

She said: "During his National Service he went AWOL and returned to Dursley for a race but a report was put in the local paper and his commanding officer found out.

"He said he came from a very large family and it must have been one of the others."

Mr Fry also enjoyed playing the harmonica and would often play the instrument down the telephone for family members on their birthdays.

During the service one of Mr Fry's six children, Brian Fry, thanked all those who had attended.

He said: "Thank you very much for coming.

"I could tell you many stories about my father but you probably know most of them already.

"He will be greatly missed."

The committal followed at Gloucester Crematorium. An inquest into Mr Fry's death has been opened and postponed to a date yet to be set.