A DUNKIRK veteran from Trowbridge was given a fitting send-off at a packed service at Trowbridge Cemetery on Wednesday.

Cyril Chivers, who was known as Jim, died at the age of 100 at his home on June 24.

The service was held at the chapel at midday and the burial took place 30 minutes later, as volunteer bugler Jason Sellars played the Last Post.

“I was honoured to play the Last Post at his funeral,” said Mr Sellars, who spent 30 years in the army as a musician.

“It was a fantastic service. The chapel was packed, people were standing because it was so full.

“I saw that the Royal British Legion posted on social media that they needed a person to do this, so I happily volunteered my services.”

Mr Chivers turned 100 on April 1, when he was treated to a party by friends and neighbours.

Members of the Royal British Legion and SSAFA in Trowbridge were also there to congratulate him and admire the card he received from The Queen, as well as his recently-awarded Legion D’honneur.

Mr Chivers joined the army in 1933 at the age of 15 after growing up in Avebury and was assigned to the Royal Army Service Corps.

He served in the Army during the Second World War and was evacuated from Dunkirk, after enduring dreadful conditions. Mr Chivers, went on to see service in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.

He was serving in Germany when he met his future wife Frieda.

The couple eventually moved to Aldershot before returning to Wiltshire in 1966, where Mr Chivers worked in a variety of occupations including as a bus driver, a baker, coalman and a postmaster.

Trowbridge RBL chairman Roy Zaman said it was the perfect send off.

“Jason did a superb job at the funeral on Wednesday. I have to say that he was note perfect,” he said. “It was a great way to celebrate the great man’s life.”

Tributes to Mr Chivers included one from Nicholas Walters posted on the RBL’s Facebook page: “R.I.P. sir. Thank you for our freedom today.”