Mourners pay respects to Normandy veteran Peter Hemp
The Norwich and District Normandy Veterans Association standard is flown as veteran Peter Hemp's funeral cortege arrives at the Waveney Memorial Park at Ellough. The standard bearer is Tristan Everett. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Standard bearers lined the route as mourners gathered to pay their respects to D-Day veteran Peter Hemp.
Normandy veteran Peter Hemp's medals by the coffin at his funeral at the Waveney Memorial Park at Ellough. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
The funeral service for Mr Hemp, who died aged 95 on January 5, was held this morning at Waveney Memorial Park and Crematorium in Ellough.
Mr Hemp played a vital role in the Normandy Campaign of 1944 after joining the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), using the skills and knowledge he gained as an apprentice mechanic at Days Garage in Clapham Road, Lowestoft.
He was posted to Essex to prepare for active service in northern France as part of the Normandy campaign to sweep the Nazis back. He joined a mobile team, 113 Workshops, REME, which dealt with the maintenance and repair of army equipment.
After being demobbed from REME, Mr Hemp worked at Parry's garage in Oulton Broad and then at the Brooke Marine maintenance shop, where he remained until his retirement.
Normandy veteran Peter Hemp, who died aged 95. Picture: Denise Bradley. - Credit: copyright: Archant 2014
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In 2016, he was presented with the prestigious Légion d'honneur medal – France's highest military honour – for his bravery and service. Until recently, he made the annual pilgrimage back to Normandy with his colleagues from the Norfolk and District Normandy Veterans' Association to visit the beaches where he landed almost 75 years ago.
Four members of his family carried in the coffin, with members of the Royal British Legion and the Normandy Veterans' Association among those lining the route.
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His coffin was decorated with flowers and his collection of medals.
Veterans and members of the Norwich and District Normandy Veterans Association make a guard of honour at the funeral of veteran Peter Hemp at the Waveney Memorial Park at Ellough. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Veterans and members of the Norwich and District Normandy Veterans Association make a guard of honour at the funeral of veteran Peter Hemp at the Waveney Memorial Park at Ellough. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Flowers in the hearse for Normandy veteran Peter Hemp's funeral at the Waveney Memorial Park at Ellough. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Flowers in the hearse for Normandy veteran Peter Hemp's funeral at the Waveney Memorial Park at Ellough. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
The Norwich and District Normandy Veterans Association standard is flown as veteran Peter Hemp's funeral cortege arrives at the Waveney Memorial Park at Ellough. The standard bearer is Tristan Everett. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
