93-year-old Burma Veteran remembered at funeral
He was part of the 'forgotten army' which fought in the Burma campaign.
But at a well-attended funeral this week, Burma veteran Scott Selwyn was remembered.
The 93-year-old's coffin was draped with a specially-made fabric featuring the Burma flag and his name.
Mr Selwyn, who is survived by his wife Ann, served in the campaign, which lasted from 1939 to 1945.
He became part of the Burma Star Association, which has around 2,000 nationwide, was
At his funeral at St Nicholas Church in Codsall yesterday, association member George Hill, 91, from Bilbrook, was among the congregation.
The packed church watched as Mr Selwyn's caske was led into the church by Royal British Legion standard bearers carrying flag to the song Amazing Grace.
Reverend Simon Witcombe welcomed mourners and led the opening prayer, before Abide With Me was sung.
A reading of The Lord is My Shepherd was then made before Rev Witcombe told of Mr Selwyn's full and interesting life.
He said: "He came from Annscroft, near Shrewsbury, but was brought up in Bushbury, where he sang in the choir at St Mary's Church.
"After beginning work, he was accepted by the British Army, aged 17-and-a-half. He served in Burma, where he saw some very difficult things but also some wonderful places.
"He came back and worked as a mechanic and at a factory for punch card computers. It was there that he met Anne. She was 15 when they first met and took a shine to him.
"Eventually they got married at St Michael's Church in Tettenhall, and had homes in Whitmore Reans and Codsall.
"He became a father to Kevin, Trevor, Andy and Harvey.
"His was well known for his desire to help people, getting on with people and commanding respect."
His son Andy, who addressed mourners alongside brother Trevor, said: "He was a great family man and happy go lucky.
"He was able to put his hand to most things. He could fix or build almost anything with a high degree of skill.
"He always had his Swiss army knife. I say always, he had it until he once tried to get it through airport security. He was on his way for a holiday to Majorca. The security guards couldn't believe it.
"He was sent through the 360 degree scanner and that was the last we saw of the knife.
"He loved his sport, and played football, tennis, cricket and, later in his life, golf. He always used to talk about legends like Viv Richards and Billy Wright, and how players today don't compare in his opinion.
"He had a great sense of humour and always laughed when we did daft things."
Son Trevor said: "When he returned from Burma, there was no fanfare. He just returned to his parents house and said 'Mum, I'm home'. It was like they were the forgotten army. He told me that out of 1,000 who left from Liverpool with him, only 11 came back.
"In his later years he was invited to a VJ Day in London. I went along with him and pushed his wheelchair. There were literally thousands lining the streets, cheering.
"I tapped him on the shoulder and told him to wave to the crowd. He saluted them all for about a mile and a half. It was the first time he'd worn his medals in 70 years.
"It was the proudest day of my life and I remember how happy he looked on the train back. Today we salute you, dad."
The congregation then read The Lord's Prayer and sang the hymn Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace.
A closing prayer was read. Legion members then saluted while the ceremonial bugle was played, before the coffin was carried out to the song Time To Say Goodbye.
