Church asked strangers to attend Welsh soldier's funeral

Updated
Church Asked Strangers to Welsh Soldier's Funeral
Church Asked Strangers to Welsh Soldier's Funeral


Former Welsh Guard Harold Morgan, who reportedly had no next of kin, likely wouldn't have had anyone at his funeral -- that is, until a church in Wales posted to its Facebook page that anyone and everyone was invited.

What would have been a small gathering for the 85-year-old man turned into a massive one, with reports saying that there were around 100 or more attendees.

CBS reports: "So many showed up they had to gather outside the church."

According to ITV, "The church was full and a small crowd even gathered outside, listening in the rain."

"It was extremely moving in there, most people didn't know him," said a man who appeared to be a fellow guard.

A military piper came to play the Welsh national anthem as the casket was carried, police had to help with parking and a florist even gave a display for free, Wales Online reports.

One attendee told Wales Online: "I never knew the guy, but it just means ... more to the Welsh guards than you can think."

The BBC spoke with one of the few who knew him personally -- a caregiver named Rachel Kemp at a home Morgan had been living in:

"Harold was a very private gentleman, had a wicked sense of humor."

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