The carer of a RAF veteran who died with no surviving family or friends would like to thank the residents of Southend for giving him the “phenomenal” funeral send-off he deserved.

When Leonard John King died at the age of 94, his carer of seven years, Karen Tuck, wanted to make sure he got a proper military funeral to honour the sacrifices he’d made for his country.

Mr King had flown Mosquito planes as a pilot during the Second World War, serving in RAF squadron No23, and went on to set up an electronics company.

“So many veterans die alone and I was making sure this didn’t happen to him,” Ms Tuck said.

Mr King, who was known to his neighbours as Jason, hadn’t left his house in Park Street in Westcliff for many years because he was afraid of falling due his arthritic hip.

Ms Tuck, of Stromness Road, Southend, said: “Every day was a struggle and he only had me to keep him company and look after him.

“No one else really knew him.

“My job was more about friendship than about a work ethic.

“I feel that I have lost a big part of my life.”

Mr King’s face would often light up when he was talking to Ms Tuck about his time in the RAF.

She added: “He loved it.

“We would sit and look at his old photo album together.

“Every Remembrance Day, I would dress him up in his suit and tie.”

After Mr King passed away from a chest infection on March 11, Ms Tuck made an appeal for people to attend Mr King’s funeral, which was shared tens of thousands of times on social media.

She also contacted SSAFA, the armed forces charity supporting military families, who helped to arrange flag bearers and buglers.

The funeral procession, which took place on April 10 and passed Mr King’s house in Westcliff, attracted people from all walks of life, some coming from over 40 miles away just to pay their respects.

She said: “It was the young and old.

“The air cadets came, the police, Southend Fire Station did a guard of honour outside their fire station for him.

“They did it off their own backs, it was very moving.”

The British Legion came out with their flag bearers too.

“It was amazing, everybody just pulled together.

“I never expected such a phenomenal response in a million years.”

Ms Tuck had only ordered 20 order of service papers as she only expected a handful of well-wishers to attend, but more than 200 people turned up to the funeral at Sutton Road cemetery.

She was overwhelmed with the support she received and the response her appeal created.

“Some people came back to the wake and wanted to listen to stories about Leonard,” she said.

“I got the chance to tell people about his life.”

Ms Tuck admits that Mr King himself would have thought it was all far too much fuss.

“He never wanted to be a burden on anyone,” she said.

“But it’s what he deserved for everything he did for the country.”

For more information on SSAFA visit ssafa.org.uk or call 0800 731 4880.