City's last Glorious Gloster has died

The last Wolverhampton member of The Glorious Glosters has died, aged 76.

Lance Corporal Norman Wilde had been suffering from heart trouble for many years and will receive a military send-off attended by dozens of veterans at Bushbury Crematorium on Friday.

He served in the Army from 1949 to 1961 with the Gloucestershire Regiment. Just one year after signing up, L/Cpl Wilde was sent to Korea where the United Nations fought against North Korean and Chinese forces.

Officially described as a "police action" by the United States, the conflict has been largely forgotten. But the Gloucestershire Regiment won fame for its heroic defence at the Imjin River in 1951 against overwhelming Chinese forces. The Regiment won the nickname "The Glorious Glosters."

Mr Wilde's daughter Sharon Wilde, aged 36, of Tithe Croft, Heath Town, said: "My father was very proud of his time in the Army and it always frustrated him that the Korean War was almost forgotten.

"It was one of his proudest moments when he was able to go back to Korea in 1997 with other veterans to Gloucester Hill, the area that the regiment defended. His Korean Veterans Clasp and his United Nations Medal will be on the coffin." Only four Wolverhampton men are believed to have served with the Royal Gloucestershire regiment in Korea and L/Cpl was the youngest and last surviving.

Miss Wilde's daughter Christina, aged 15, will wear L/Cpl Wilde's medals in tribute.

Mr Wilde worked for the former Midlands Electricity Board as a meter reader for 35 years after he finished his Army service in 1961.

He leaves a wife, Patricia, aged 67, also of Tithe Croft, another daughter, Sarah Wise, aged 34, son-in-law John, aged 36, and two other grandchildren Samantha, aged 13, and Rebecca, seven.

The service will be held at the crematorium in Underhill Lane at 1.30pm.