Hundreds at hero's funeral

Hundreds of mourners gathered at a Shropshire church to pay their last respects to a famous War hero.

Squadron Leader Bertram "Jimmy" James found fame when his World War II heroics were dramatised in the 1963 film The Great Escape.

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The 92-year-old died on January 18 and his funeral was at St Peter's Church, Henley Road, Ludlow yesterday. Mr James made repeated attempts to escape his Nazi captors after being shot down over The Netherlands.

His widow Madge led the mourners, while Jack Lyon, of Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, one of Mr James's Great Escape friends, was also present.

Top-ranking RAF officials were also in attendance, and many of Mr James's friends.

Ludlow was represented by prominent figures including Philip Dunne MP and town mayor Marie Glaze.

Tom Freeman-Keel, an author from Craven Arms who organised a number of talks with Mr James in recent years, was also there.

There was a flypast by Mr James's former squadron, 9 Squadron from RAF Marh-am, Norfolk, in diamond formation, with one missing link representing Mr James.

Mr Freeman-Keel said: "The thing about Jimmy was he was so modest.

"We'd sit and talk for hours and the one thing we'd never talk about was the war.

"He was dignified and unassuming. He made heroes of many men. They believed in him to such a degree they followed him and tried to tunnel out."

Mr Lyon said: "Jimmy was a lovely man. When we were in the concentration camp, he would lead the tunnelling and I'd keep watch for Germans. He was a great chap.

"When they made the film, it was a lot of rubbish. It wasn't like what happened at all. They shot and killed 50 people. It was sheer barbarism at the hands of Hitler."

Flight Sergeant Scouse Taylor, from RAF Regiment Depot, Honnington, Suffolk, said: "I accompanied Jimmy on tours to Germany in recent years. He was a true hero."

Flight Sergeant Simon Rowlands, who hails from Ludlow and is also stationed at Honnington, said: "Our motto is 'through adversity'. Jimmy epitomised that.

"He was an inspiration to generations of people. He led the way. He gave people something to aspire to."

The congregation at the funeral service in St Peter's Church, Ludlow. Picture: James Watkins.

Hundreds of people turned out to pay their last respects to Jimmy James.

Four Tornado jets fly over the churchyard.

War hero Squadron Leader Jimmy James.

Jimmy James with his recently-issued book.

Jimmy James' widow leaves the church.

Jimmy James' coffin is carried by servicemen.