The funeral has been held in Plymouth today (Thursday) of a former soldier from South East Cornwall who died in October during his trial in Belfast over a fatal shooting which took place during the Northern Ireland Troubles in 1974.
Dennis Hutchings, who died aged 80 and who lived in Cawsand, contracted COVID-19 in Ulster during the trial and died on October 18.
Mr Hutchings had denied the charge of attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham, who was 27 at the time of his death.
His funeral today was held at St Andrew’s Church in Plymouth and was a military funeral after a request was made by his family to the Ministry of Defence.
Hundreds of mourners are reported to have congregated outside the church to witness the hearse’s arrival escorted by dozens of motorbikes from Rolling Thunder UK. Flags were held aloft and the pallbearers’ were from Mr Hutchings’ former regiment, the Life Guards.
The service was opened by the Rev Joe Dent but it is believed that Mr Hutchings’ family, who requested that there be no political messages made at the funeral, will hold a private event in Cornwall at a later time.