Express & Star

IN PICTURES: Funeral of much-loved Walsall historian

Hundreds of people gathered for the funeral of much-loved Walsall historian Jack Haddock.

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The keen cyclist, photographer and RAF veteran was taken on his final journey through the borough, where those that knew him said their final goodbyes.

A hearse with his beloved bike on top departed from his home in Webster Road, Blakenall, at 11.30am before taking him to Lichfield Crematorium for the service at 12.30pm.

Jack died at the age of 89 at Walsall Manor Hospital on March 29 after suffering numerous strokes and then contracting pneumonia.

As part of the service, six doves were released and his coffin featured pictures of the Flying Scotsman train.

On route to the crematorium, the hearse paused on a railway bridge where Jack used to take photographs of trains.

A spokesperson for funeral directors, Norton Funerals of Brownhills, said they were honoured to be a part of Jack's last journey.

They said: "The funeral went very well and there was an amazing turnout – the crematorium was full to the rafters.

"His bicycle was on the roof and taken away to the crematorium and we took a pause on a railway where he used to take lots of photo.

"It was a fitting end for Jack and there were a lot of really nice tributes. He was a keen cyclist and it was a great honour to be able to take Jack on his final ride."

"People were very pleased with the service - it is how he would have wanted to go."

Jack was active in recording and helping to preserve the history of Walsall from the 1950s until last year, when he fell ill. He never married and had no children.

Jack's close friend Rob Selvey is trying to gather memories of Jack. Email Walsall Local History Centre on localhistorycentre@walsall.gov.uk to contribute

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