Yahoo News Watford war hero who leaves 'astonishing legacy' honoured at memorial service
The funeral and memorial service have taken place for a Watford war hero whose life had a “beautiful symmetry” after he died on his 100th birthday.
Francis Goode, a veteran of the Normandy campaign and disastrous Allied operation at Arnhem, passed away on Monday, May 13 surrounded by his family, just hours after a party was held in his honour.
A lieutenant with the 4th (Durham) Survey Regiment during the Second World War, Wednesday's funeral was attended by a standard bearer and the coffin was draped to pay respect to the late veteran. It was followed by a memorial service at St Luke's church in Watford.
Francis' coffin draped in a Royal Artillery standard (Image: Family collection)
“Dad's life had a beautiful symmetry, beginning and ending on the 13th May," his daughter Sarah Goode said.
“Our family motto is from the book of Zechariah, 'In the evening there shall be light', which on the face of it clearly makes no sense but in Dad's case came true in an amazing way.
Family and veterans at the memorial service (Image: Forces United)
“Having firmly rejected faith all his life, in the late evening of his life he was able to find the light of Jesus and was confirmed in his faith by the Bishop of Hertford scarcely more than a week before he passed away peacefully, rounding off one hundred years."
The memorial service was attended by a contingent from the Royal British Legion, organised by Luther Blissett, with a standard bearer proudly holding the flag aloft throughout the entire service, then lowering it as the Last Post was played on the bugle.
Francis Goode died on his 100th birthday on May 13 (Image: Newsquest)
This was followed by a minute's silence before the organist closed the ceremony with Dvorak's haunting melody Goin' Home.
The family paid tribute to Francis as a family man as well as recalling his combat days and his time working in computer development at Elliott Brothers in Borehamwood, as a research physicist at Sun Printers and later as a lecturer at Watford College.
Sarah also put together a display of memorabilia from his life, including his baby photos and letters from school.
Some of the pictures and letters from Francis' life that were displayed at his memorial service (Image: Family collection)
Watford FC legend and Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Blissett, who was joined by Veterans from his Forces United organisation at the memorial service, said: “What an absolute honour to deputise for the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire at the memorial for Francis.
Deputy Lieutenant Luther Blissett and representatives of the Royal British Legion and Forces United outside St Luke's church (Image: Forces United)
“A true hero, not just in terms of his military background as a Normandy veteran, but as a grandpa and a man who inspired those around him to uphold his values and observe the importance he placed on family togetherness.
“His legacy is astonishing and one that his future generations will carry forward with heads held so very high.”
