A Welling man was given a funeral with full military honours with a Union Jack draped over the coffin on which were placed his peak cap, medals and sword of honour.

Flt Lt Cliff Mullins, former CO of Welling Air Training Corps Squadron, was 74 when he died and his funeral took place at Eltham Crematorium and a guard of honour lined the route to the chapel, formed of serving officers and cadets from squadrons located in Bexley, Bromley and even further afield.

Family friend Peter Wohlgemuth told the News Shopper: "The cortège was preceded by three cadets each carrying a Standard, the leading one being that of Kent Wing Air Training Corps.

"The chapel was packed to the rafters. Family members included son Nick and wife Jackie, daughter Sarah and husband Richard and the eldest of their three sons, Sam."

The service was conducted by the Rev. Clifford Goble, Wing Chaplain.

The eulogy was given by Nick Mullins and the address by a former Welling cadet now serving as Master Aircrew with the RAF.

Nearly 20-years-ago Cliff founded the annual visit to Orlando for cadets to take part in the ‘Sun n Fun’ air show.

After forty years with IPC Magazines, Cliff left to become a circulation consultant working, in the main, with Hello magazine.

Other pursuits included Freemasonry, RAFA, Wing chairman and being a governor of Gravel Hill Primary School, but his main passion, after his family was the ATC.

The chaplain’s address completed what had been a service of thanksgiving and celebration of a life spent serving others.

Donations were given to the Greenwich and Bexley Hospice, where his Mr Mullions spent his last days.

The funeral took place on Friday, January 31.