Family and friends said farewell to a Second World War hero who is forever remembered as a “true gentleman”.

Frederick George ‘Fred’ Wildman, who lived in Benfleet, died on January 16 at the age of 95.

Crowds of friends and relatives paid their last respects at his funeral on Tuesday at the Basildon and District Crematorium, in Church Road, Bowers Gifford.

His service was also attended by the Royal Marines Charity as Fred served as a marine commando in unit 47 Commando in the Second World War.

Four hundred men from his unit hit the shores of Normandy on D-Day and he was among the 88 who survived. He was rewarded the Legion d’honneur by the then French government shortly after the war.

He then returned to London where he met his wife, got married and spent most of his life in Benfleet.

His son Tony, 60, said: “My father was very well-respected by everyone. He was a really lovely guy and from all the sympathy wishes we received from people, everyone said he was a true gentleman.

“Not all of his friends knew each other but they all said the same thing about him. To be remembered as a true gentleman is the perfect legacy to have.

“Whatever my father did, he put his heart and soul in it, and he really got involved in community activities.

“He had a great passion for rowing and bowls. He was one of the first members of the Castle Point Bowls Club and he was strongly involved as a committee member. He really enjoyed dancing too.

“My father didn’t talk much about the war and that was understandable. But in recent times people have become interested in the war and my father spoke more, to remind people about the tragedies and horrors of war.

“We went to Normandy for the 70th anniversary and it was an emotional trip for him because a lot of men from his unit died.

“It was strange because my father survived D-Day unscathed but the night before the big event, we were walking to the hotel and he took a tumble, hit his head and had to get stitches at the hospital.”