Appeal for mourners to attend funeral of 'unknown' soldier (Rangers related)

[colinstein 294]

See someone has bought a brick in his name, well done whoever.

 

this is what it's all about

[Zappa 0]

See someone has bought a brick in his name, well done whoever.

 

Brilliant gesture from whoever it was.

[aweebluesoandso 290]

Jim Hannah is going, representing the club i think?

[Steve1872 4]

Rangers football club are sending a representative and a floral wreath along to the funeral of 'unknown' Beeston soldier Alex McDougall.

Jim Hannah, fans liaison manager with the club, will attend to pay his respects to The Bears fan on behalf of the team.

Lynsey Sharp, Scottish European and Commonwealth 800m silver medallist, who is also on the Rangers Supporters Trust, has also tweeted that she will attend.

 

Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Rangers-Football-Club-tribute-unknown-soldier/story-26761056-detail/story.html#ixzz3e9EgvTAy

Follow us: @Nottingham_Post on Twitter | NottinghamPostOnline on Facebook

[Steve1872 4]

Hundreds of people are expected today at the funeral of "forgotten" soldier Alex McDougall.

The 77-year-old, who had no known relatives, will be cremated at 3.45pm at Bramcote Crematorium.

And a huge turnout is expected after staff at Beeston Lodge Nursing Home appealed in the Post for mourners to pay their respects to Mr McDougall, who was in the army for 30 years.

The chapel holds 46 but scores more are likely to gather outside.

 

 

The appeal has gone viral on the internet since the Post told how care home staff hoped for a fitting send-off for the forces veteran and Glasgow Rangers fan, who served in Cyprus while in the Royal Ordinance Corps, based at Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell. It has been shared thousands of times on social media and on Rangers forums and has reached the national and Scottish media.

Nursing home manager Bev Hamilton said their phone had rang "non-stop" with calls from people wanting to ensure Mr McDougall had the farewell he deserved. "The level of support we are getting is out of this world," she said.

A piper from RAF Waddington will play at the funeral, and one man from Fife who could not make it to Notts said he would pay for a memorial brick at Ibrox Park, where Mr McDougall's ashes will be scattered.

Ms Hamilton said Mr McDougall's legacy was that veterans' associations had been in touch to forge links with ex-military residents

Jim Hannah, Rangers' fans liaison manager, is flying from Glasgow to attend, and the club has sent a wreath.

He said he had been "choked up" when he read the initial story and added: "It touched not just my heart but most people who read it."

Mr Hannah said he posted the story on his personal Facebook page and it "went viral", resulting in Rangers supporters from Derby, Stoke and Corby vowing to attend.

Fellow ex-gunner Dave Thomas, of the Royal Artillery Association Nottingham branch, said 10 veterans and a standard-bearer from the branch would attend. "There's a saying – 'once a gunner, always a gunner'," he said.

Clive and Kay Cookson will also be present, representing Nottinghamshire Grenadier Guards' Association.

Broxtowe Borough Council, which runs the crematorium, has warned that parking is limited and extra space is available at nearby Bramcote Park. It has asked visitors to be mindful of other funerals taking place.

 

 

Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Hundreds-gather-Alex-tribute/story-26768994-detail/story.html#ixzz3e9FOqEXm

Follow us: @Nottingham_Post on Twitter | NottinghamPostOnline on Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

[Frankie 8,146]

Really is fantastic to see folk rally round in such a way.

[JTP 0]

No matter how much we've been hood winked, stripped and robbed ................. there really is no other club like the famous Glasgow Rangers.

 

I love my club.

[Blue Moon 1,113]

No matter how much we've been hood winked, stripped and robbed ................. there really is no other club like the famous Glasgow Rangers.

 

I love my club.

 

It is the Rangers Family. I need say no more.

[North Rd 0]

From RM:

 

Just received a text from a mate who is at the Service. The Crematorium is full and there is over 100 people outside, cars parked for about 200 metres down both sides of the street. Lots of Service Personnel and Rangers supporters in attendance.

 

Well done to everyone who made it. The Rangers Family and the Forces Families coming together to pay respects to someone who served their country all of his life.

[Steve1872 4]

Hundreds gather for funeral of veteran Alex McDougall, who had no known family. @ChrisHewgill is live there at 5.30