Funeral of little known Beccles Parachute Regiment veteran

Alan Kenneth Cole, from the Beccles area, died in James Paget University Hospital on February 2 following a cardiac arrest while out shopping. He was 83 years old.

The former private of the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment had no known friends and had not spoken to his family for many years.

However, after the hospital's mortuary services team collected his belongings from his home, they found his maroon beret and service dagger. A note which read he would like to have a funeral was also found inside his property.

Alan Cole's coffin at Gorleston Crematorium. (Image: Denise Bradley)Mr Cole served in the Parachute Regiment between September 1965 and November 1971 and was posted in the Middle East and Northern Ireland. He was awarded the General Service Medal in 1969.

Chris Blyth, the Paget's armed forces advocate, appealed to local veterans groups inviting them to Gorleston Crematorium on Wednesday to honour the life of Mr Cole.

Those in attendance included members of the Royal Airforce Association (RAFA), Royal British Legion (RBL) and the Norfolk and Waveney Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association.

Standard bearers led the procession before Mr Cole's coffin was carried by his Parachute Regiment comrades.

READ MORE: Lord Dannatt at unveiling of Norfolk village war memorial

Members of the Parachute Regimental Association served as Mr Cole's pallbearers. (Image: Denise Bradley)Mr Cole was described as a man who kept pride in his appearance and would never be seen without a suit and tie.

He also had a passion for rose gardens, inscribing the back of a photograph taken at The Royal National Rose Society gardens in St Albans with the message: "My world in the next life."

His parents were Edwin John Cole (known as Jack) and Doris Kate Cole. It is believed Mr Cole had a close relationship with his mother, who died in 1973, as he requested his ashes be interred in his mother's plot near Hertfordshire.

Alan Cole was born April 11, 1940 and died February 2, 2024. (Image: Submitted)Eulogies were read by members of the Royal British Legion and the Parachute Regiment Association.

"We are all brothers," said Ian Bradley, Norfolk and Waveney Royal Parachute Regiment Association chairman.

"We might not have known Alan personally, but he was our comrade and it was right for us to show our respect to this soldier who gave so much."

The last post is played by Andy Smerdon at the funeral of Alan Cole at Gorleston. (Image: Denise Bradley)Veterans ready with the standards at the funeral of Alan Cole at Gorleston. (Image: Denise Bradley)Veterans pay their respects at the funeral of Alan Cole at Gorleston. (Image: Denise Bradley)From left, Hospital chaplain, Rev Danny Pritchard; Marica McHugh, mortuary co-ordinator; Daryl Bourn, mortuary bereavement manager; and Chris Blyth, forces advocate. (Image: Denise Bradley)