A SPECIAL service is being held by the Royal British Legion at the funeral of Salisbury’s last Coldstream Guardsman to have served during the Second World War.

George Raddon died on December 11 at the age of 87 following a stroke and his funeral is taking place at St Thomas’s Church on Thursday (January 9).

Mr Raddon, who was born in Honiton and lived most of his life in Salisbury, served with the Coldstream Guards from May 1944 until the end of the war.

He remained in Germany with the occupation forces, guarding high ranking officials suspected of war crimes, until 1947.

Mr Raddon, who had one son, Derek, was well known in Salisbury and often seen around the city on his Raleigh bike. He kept three allotments, producing vegetables, and was always ready to share his knowledge and advice.

The Royal British Legion’s Salisbury branch will form an Honour Guard with standards and a bugler at Mr Raddon’s funeral. Reverend Canon Alan Gill will conduct the service and all are welcome from 1pm.