The Royal Marine they refused to bury alone

• James McConnell, of Southsea, Hampshire, died last month at age of 70
• Care home staff thought they would be only people at Portsmouth funeral
• But vicar put appeal on Facebook and more than 200 strangers attended
• Little is known of Marine but he arrived at care home with Falklands photos

More than 200 strangers attended the funeral of a former Royal Marine after a vicar put out a plea on Facebook amid fears that he would be buried without mourners.
James ‘Jimmy’ McConnell died last month at the age of 70, and staff at his care home in Southsea, Hampshire, thought they would be the only people at his funeral as he did not have any close family.
But after Reverend Bob Mason posted a message on Facebook and contacted the Royal Marines Association, hundreds of people braved the cold for a ceremony at Milton Cemetery in Portsmouth.

Hero: Former Royal Marine James 'Jimmy' McConnell, of Southsea, Hampshire, died last month aged 70

In remembrance: A motorcycle procession took place at the funeral of former Royal Marine James McConnell

Mark of respect: A small procession through the cemetery for Mr McConnell, who died of a chest infection, was led by Royal British Legion standard bearers

A small procession through the cemetery for Mr McConnell, who died of a chest infection, was led by Royal British Legion standard bearers followed by a group of flag-bearing motorcycles.
The service concluded with two buglers from the Royal Marines Band Service playing the Last Post.
Mourners at the funeral included tearful veterans, members of the military, and the local community, who surrounded the grave with military standards, and poppy wreaths.
Reverend Mason said to the congregation: ‘The great majority of you who have come here today did not know James McConnell but wanted him to have a dignified farewell. I thank you for that kindness.'
Danny Marshall, a former Royal Marine, said he attended because the corps was an extended family.
He said: ‘It was mentioned wrongly that he did not have family. The corps family is bigger and better than most people would know about. We are all family and always will be.’

Huge crowd: Staff at the ex-Marine's care home had feared they would be the only people at his funeral

Coffin carried: The Reverend Bob Mason is seen (left) at the funeral of former Royal Marine James McConnell

Salute: Two members of the Royal Marines Band Service (right) play the Last Post at the funeral of James McConnell. Others (left) saluted in respect of the former Marine

Reverend Mason’s message on Facebook said: ‘It is tragic enough that anyone has to leave this world with no-one to mourn their passing. I am sure you will agree he deserves a better send-off.’

'The great majority of you who have come here today did not know James McConnell but wanted him to have a dignified farewell. I thank you for that kindness'

Reverend Bob Mason

He added that he received a ‘marvellous response from around the country’ following the appeal.
Reverend Mason said after the service that it was ‘well-deserved send-off’, adding: ‘It was a very cold morning, and people were shivering, but it is testament to the sacrifice people were prepared to make in order to attend.
‘Lots of people turned out to give Mr McConnell the send-off he deserved, even though they had never met him and did not know him.
‘The attendance was beyond expectation, and shows the high-regard in which people hold the military in Portsmouth. If word of his plight had not been circulated, then you would probably have counted the attendance on one hand.’

Finish: The service concluded with two buglers from the Royal Marines Band Service playing the Last Post

Tribute: Mourners at the funeral included tearful veterans, members of the military, and the local community, who surrounded the grave with military standards, and poppy wreaths

Solemn: A funeral director lays flowers at the service for former Royal Marine James McConnell in Portsmouth

Ian Smith, one of the directors of the Bluebell Care Home, said: ‘It makes you proud to be British.
'I'm an ex-forces man myself, I was in the navy, so I'm passionate about the forces. People in the armed forces go through big events during their lifetimes and deserve a good send-off.’

'It was mentioned wrongly that he did not have family. The corps family is bigger and better than most people would know about. We are all family and always will be'

Danny Marshall, former Royal Marine

Little is known about Mr McConnell's life or about his career in the armed forces. He was referred to the care home by social services and arrived with his green beret, medals, and photographs of the Falkland Islands. A spokesman for the care home said they believed Mr McConnell served in the Falklands War, but were not sure.
Dizzy Page, the activities co-ordinator at the care home, added: ‘We always try to get to the funerals of people who have lived here.
'But because there wasn't going to be anyone else at Jimmy's, we wanted to make sure we would be there to show our pride for the forces. Jimmy was a proud man and he always had a sparkle in his eyes.’