John Frost funeral

John Frost was a good friend of mine with whom I communicated with by mail for about 15 years. He died in late October 2008. His son, Peter wrote this for his funeral a few days ago.

With clear blue skies and blazing sunshine, the funeral on Friday 24^th of John Frost went without a hitch and although a very sad day, it was a wonderful celebration of my father's long and illustrious life. After his coffin, draped in the Union Flag, was brought into the chapel of the crematorium, it was standing room only for all the guests who included Phil Reed and John Hirst. Some very fine eulogies were spoken by the minister, as well as two fellow veterans, and also from a letter of tribute by David Levine, his friend of 40 years who lives in New Jersey.

After the funeral, we adjourned to The Royal Chace Hotel a few miles away where we had arranged a buffet in one of their function rooms. It was a wonderful social occasion with many family, friends and fellow veterans of D-Day and other campaigns. My father would have absolutely loved it. Phil Reed gave a glowing speech about him and an explanation of the significance of the Blenheim Award which was then presented to my brother Andrew and I, accompanied by a huge round of applause. It was quite a moving moment for both of us.
It was a wonderful presentation and a great honour. On behalf of my mother Annerose and my brother Andrew, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in nominating my father and organising this marvellous award. It is a handsome an exceptional piece of craftsmanship and with its touching words of sentiment, is truly a fine, fitting and lasting tribute to the love and devotion my father had for Winston Churchill, the greatest Englishman of our time.
I cannot thank all of you enough. Very best regards and wishes,

Peter Frost

A line-up of veterans of D-Day and other campaigns that my father was close to

outside the crematorium chapel

Some of the many floral tributes, including those from the Normandy Veterans Association and also the Association of Veterans of Foreign Wars;

The presentation of the Blenheim Award 2008 (left to right: Phil Reed, Director of the Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms, Andrew Frost, Peter Frost and John Hirst, Secretary of The Churchill Centre UK)

The front page of the Daily Star of July 11, 2005, when a million people congregated outside Buckingham Palace and in The Mall to celebrate the 60^t anniversary of VE Day. Two of the people there were John Frost and a victim of the London Underground bombings only a few days before. Both were featured on the front page as "True Brits" both of whom, though 60 years apart, had defied terror. The article began: "Proud and defiant – World War Two hero John Frost and London terror survivor Susie Peli show the spirit that makes Britain great."

Cutting the cakes with our mother and John's wife, Annerose.