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As you can see the florist sent this photo of the wreath Wilf Crutchley ordered for John Freeborn's Celebration of Life at Southport Crematorium on Saturday 28th August 2010.   Although on the photograph the flowers appear to be cream they are actually white (118 colours black and white).   His daughter Julia brilliantly set the ceremony up.   As the hearse pulled into the cremetorium there was a flash of lightning and really good clap of thunder (I think he organised that).   The coffin was draped in the union flag , on it was a wreath of red poppies around his medals.   As the coffin was lifted from the hearse it was carried through the Guard of Honour with its Standard paraded by the local Aircrew Association including George Aird, while the Royal Air Force march was played.   During the service Bob Cossey secretary of 74 told of John's time on 74 the Battle of Barking creek and his part in the Battle of Britain, followed by a brief outline of the rest of his RAF career.   Emily Stride read the quotation from the RAF memorial window.   After the committal the Last Post was played as the Standard was dipped in salute.   A very moving moment.   There was to be a Spitfire flypast but the thunder storm and the low cloud ruled it out.   (Thanks to Wilf Crutchley.)
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