Daughter discovers lost father after funeral
A woman was left speechless after reading about the funeral of a former serviceman who died without any close family or friends and whose funeral was attended by 140 strangers – because he was her father and she had been trying to trace him.
Bernard Greenwood died in September, aged 82, and because the former RAF man apparently had no relations, details of his funeral were posted on the internet.
Lucy Allan, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Telford and a volunteer with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association (SSAFA), spread the word about the funeral on her Facebook page and it was seen by around 170,000 people – resulting in people who never knew Mr Greenwood attending the November 18 service at Telford Crematorium as mourners.
Mr Greenwood lived in Wellington and served in the RAF, although details of his service career still remain sketchy, representatives from the Armed Forces, the Royal British Legion and RAF Cosford attended the service, as well as many ordinary people from Telford.
The funeral was paid for by the RAF Benevolent Fund, a charity that supports all serving and former members of the RAF.
By chance his daughter found the story on the Shropshire Star's website.
She had lost contact with her father around 30 years ago and had been trying to trace him for many years.
"I was overwhelmed and very shocked when I found out," said Mr Greenwood's daughter, who wishes to remain anonymous.
"I just do not know what to say, really, and I am so grateful to everyone who helped give my father such a wonderful funeral. I can't believe it, to be honest.
"I had been trying to find my father for ages, and I had a few details about where he lived but never got the chance to pursue it, and it was very sad to find out that he had just passed away.
"I didn't know anything about his days in the RAF so that was amazing to read about, and what they did for his funeral was unbelievable. I also met with his carers on December 2 and they are really lovely people."
Mr Greenwood's daughter also thanked her father's long term carer and friend, Hayley Self, 37, from Telford, for everything she did to help her father over the past few years.
"If it wasn't for Hayley my father would have died as someone with no family, but it's something that clearly struck a chord with her and she did not want him to be forgotten, so I think that is the best thing to come out of this situation.
"I now want Hayley to enjoy the memories she has of my father and have a great life as she really deserves it."
