D-Day hero’s funeral takes place in Merrow 

D-Day hero and former prisoner of war, Percy Lewis’ funeral takes place at St John the Evangelist Church, Merrow on Tuesday (3 May).

Percy, who was one of thousands who stormed ashore on Sword Beach on the morning of June 6th 1944, died at the end March, aged 99.

After the war, Percy became an active member of the Normandy Veterans' Association and travelled every year to Arromanches, France to commemorate his fallen comrades.

His funeral will reflect Percy’s life. 

The coffin will receive military honours including a standard bearer, piper and bugler who will play the Last Post and Reveille. 

His funeral will reflect the many different aspects of Percy’s life; with Revd Mandy Reynolds, former National Chaplain to Normandy War Veterans will speak about his military service and work over the years for the veterans, and local friends talking about his dedicated service to and membership of the Parish of Merrow. The funeral and burial will be conducted by the Rector of the Parish of Merrow, the Revd Rona Stuart-Bourne.

“Percy’s life was an extraordinary one,” say Rona. “His funeral gives his family, friends and the whole community the opportunity to thank God for his service both during the war and more recently to veterans' organisations. Percy was also such an amazing part of our parish, rolling his sleeves up and doing work in the churchyard. He was tireless.”

Percy, conscripted into the 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion as a wireless operator in 1941,  will be buried with his wife May in St John’s Churchyard.

Percy’s funeral takes place at 14.00 on Tuesday 3rd May at St John the Evangelist Church, 222 Epsom Road, Merrow, Guildford, GU4 7AB.