Mourners gathered this morning to give a fitting send-off to a Maidstone war veteran and death camp survivor.

Around 40 people turned out at Vinters Park Crematorium this morning to pay their respects to John Gale, after friends asked for help celebrating the life of the 97-year-old former King’s Royal Rifle Corps soldier.

The Ringlestone resident's cortege was led in by Geoff Lees of the Royal British Legion, before a service conducted by celebrant Allan Sinclair.

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Attending were friends, relatives and those who gave up their time to answer the KM's appeal for Mr Gale, who was one of the few Allied POWs to be interned at the notorious concentration camp Auschwitz during the Second World War.

They included Cllr Brian Mortimer and Sarah Dove, from West Kingsdown, whose great-grandmother's cousin was also interned at Auschwitz.

Video: Mourners attend funeral of Maidstone veteran John Gale

The congregation heard a thought-provoking eulogy detailing Mr Gale's military career and his part in helping police collar two rogue traders in 2012 for which he won a national award.

Mr Gale, whose wife Hilda is buried at Medway Crematorium, leaves behind family including his step-son Robert Mintram, granddaughter Sue Mintram-Chattell as well as several close friends.

Mr Lees, who travelled from Swanley on short notice to help with the service, said: "My wife saw the post on Facebook last night. This man has given so much to his country so we do what we can."