DOZENS of people turned out to pay their respects to popular World War II veteran Harold Beesley.

Harold had been due to light the beacon in St Helens on the 70th anniversary of VE Day, but he was taken ill the day before.

He died, aged 87, less than three weeks after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Family, friends and former servicemen attended a funeral service on Friday (May 22) at St Ann's Church in View Road, Rainhill.

Standard bearers and members of Rainhill British Legion marched ahead of the hearse, which was draped with the Union Jack, leading it into the church where Harold had been a choir member.

After being rumbled when he joined up under age, Harold waited until he was old enough and served during the final two years of the Second World War, being stationed in Germany and Italy.

He leaves four children - Stephen, Jacqui, Lesley and Susan. Their mother, his wife Rose, died in 1989.

Daughter Jacqui said: "He was born in Prescot and lived in the area most of his life. He was a very kind man, very popular, he'd do anything for anybody. We will miss him so much and are so sad, but we are glad he didn't suffer a long illness."

After the war, Harold worked at Plessey Telecommunications in Liverpool, where he met Rose, and he then worked at Ford for around 40 years until retiring aged 63.

Jacqui added: "He was very fit and sporty - he used to box when he was younger, he loved cricket and followed Liverpool and Saints."

Harold also leaves 17 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and his partner Vera, with whom he had lived in recent years.

Chair of Rainhill British Legion, Tommy Blackburn, said: "Harold was 15 when the war broke out and went to join the Irish Guards - he was there for weeks until they discovered he'd lied about being 18. He had to pack up and go home.

"He went and worked at the docks and as soon as he was old enough, he joined the army.

"He was transferred to the Royal Military Police and he also won a military boxing championship."