Military honours at Gosport veteran's funeral who transported British soldiers to D-Day beaches
WATCH ITV News Meridian's Derek Johnson reporting from Fred Temple's funeral.
The funeral has been held for one of the South's last surviving D-Day veterans on what would have been his 98th birthday.
He was 16 when he left home to join the Marines. He became a LCA Coxwain assigned to the SS Empire Cutlass and completed four trips delivering British soldiers to Sword Beach on D-Day.
Fred then returned the following day to safely deliver US troops.
Friends and family have been speaking about his legacy.
He passed away earlier this month and today (25 August) would have been his 98th birthday.
Lisa Bracher, Fred's granddaughter, said: "I just want to say how proud I am of him and what an inspiration he was to me, how much I am going to miss him and miss his stories. He was amazing, I'm just proud and honoured."
Dave Harvey, Fred's son, said: "He would always be there for everybody. There's nothing he wouldn't do for anybody. He didn't brag about, nothing like that. He was very quiet."
Also at the funeral today veterans from the Dutch military who had become friends over the years.
John Quane, friend and former Royal Marine Commando, said: "I wanted to give him a tribute. A thank you for what he's done for us, from the people of the Netherlands and Europe. He had a great sense of humour."
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