A heroic World War II Bomber Command pilot is to be honoured thanks to a fundraising campaign to give him a fitting send off.
War veteran Stan Franks completed a staggering 31 missions over Germany by the time he was 19 in the midst of the Second World War.
But the 88-year-old decorated war hero was found dead at his home in Fobbing, Essex, where he lived alone, in October after locals became concerned for his welfare.
He had been due to have a pauper's funeral before fund-raisers stepped in to raise thousands of pounds for a fitting funeral for the veteran.
Jim Gooding, president of Thurrock Royal Air Force Association (RAFA), said: "We are all overwhelmed by the community's support for Stan and for digging so deep into their pockets to ensure he has a fitting funeral.
"I would like to express the thanks from friends of Stan and his colleagues.
"Stan's death happened in sad circumstances but that sadness has been lifted by the generosity and kindness of so many people who will ensure Stan has the send-off he deserves."
The funeral will take place on 13 December at 2.40pm at Pitsea crematorium.
A Spitfire fly-past is also expected to pay tribute to Mr Frank's crucial wartime efforts.
Local people are set to line the root to the cemetery which will leave from his local pub, the Five Bells, at 2.20pm before passing through Pitsea town centre.
Stephanie Dwyer, 61, who has worked at the Five Bells pub for 27 years, spoke fondly of Mr Franks and revealed his sad passing was only discovered when he failed to appear for his daily lunchtime visit.
She said: "I phoned a neighbour and said go and knock on Stan's door as nobody had seen him since the Saturday and this was the Tuesday.
"The police were called and the backdoor was open and they found him.
"The air ambulance was called and landed in the pub car park before rushing him to the hospital."
Sadly, Mr Frank's last flight was in vain and he was declared dead at the hospital on October 31.
Ms Dwyer added: "We think he died from a heart attack.
"He had been coming here for years and years, he was well loved and he liked to have an opinion.
"He was a funny man and always ready to have a friendly chat. He would chat to soldiers about his experiences in the war but he didn't dwell on the past and he was proud of what he had done.
"He was a well-loved character and we are all going to miss him."
Mr Franks flew 31 missions over Germany in 1944 and 1945, serving in Lancaster Bombers of 15 Squadron from RAF Mildenhall.
In 2010, he was one of a small group of airmen who travelled to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to be reunited with a Lancaster bomber and be honoured by current day aircrew.