IainB 599 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Got this from Jim Hannah this morning I know it may be a big ask but this fellow deserves a decent sent off. If you can make it, it will once more show why WATP. Hi everyonebelow is the story about Alex McDougall, a life-long Rangers fan and former soldier. His care home say apart from a handful of care home staff there will be no one at his funeral, at Bramcote Crematorium at 3.45pm this Friday, and are asking for people to attend. Particularly Rangers fans and military people or veterans.I was wondering if anyone from the club could provide a quote about how sad this is and urging Rangers fans to support their fellow fan?If Rangers could maybe retweet the story once it’s online, that could also be a big help.An appeal has been launched to urge mourners to attend the funeral of a former soldier who has no known family.Alex McDougall served his country for 30 years - being shot at and almost starving to death on meagre rations.Mr McDougall, who passed away aged 77 on June 8, was "married to the job" and has no known relatives or friends - which has led to an appeal for mourners to attend his funeral.Staff from Beeston Lodge Nursing Home, where he lived for 18 years, are appealing for anyone with a link to Chetwynd Barracks or the military in general to go along to the service, at Bramcote Crematorium at 3.45pm this Friday.And as Mr McDougall was a huge Rangers FC fan - his ashes will be scattered at Ibrox Stadium and he will be buried in a Rangers fleece blanket - they would also like fellow team fans to pay their respects.Anyone else is welcome to help give Mr McDougall a fitting send-off.Aisha Morrell, activities and welfare manager at the home in Beeston Rylands, knew Mr McDougall, a jazz fan, for five years and had grown fond of him.She said: "He has no living family and no friends we are aware of so it is unlikely anyone will be at his funeral. He was very much married to the job."He served his country, and he was such a nice man. It doesn't seem any way for a send-off."Mr McDougall served with the Army in Scotland as a youngster, but moved to Beeston when he was 21, signing up at Chetwynd Barracks.His parents died in a car crash when he was young.He was a gunner and toured Cyprus and Portugal.Care home staff are looking into the possibility he may have been awarded the British Empire Medal.Ms Morrell said Mr McDougall, a "very proud man" who suffered from dementia and died from cancer, had told her tales of playing pranks on his Army colleagues.She has tried appeals on military pages on social media to no avail.Home manager Bev Hamilton said: "I just feel like he deserves some sort of a send-off. His life was the Army. He was very popular within the home. He didn't have any visitors but when other people came to see their relatives he was always friendly."I kept him up to-date with the football scores. He was a lovely chap and such a big character." Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RM Monitor And Standards Officer 112,906 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 FFs that's a sad read.Hopefully bears can pack the place for him Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
We Will Follow Rangers 13,405 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Desperately sad.RIP Alex.Hopefully a few Nottinghamshire bears can attend to give this old soldier the send off he deserves. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibrox_Nights 429 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Awful it should come to that.Hope he has a good send off and maybe we could all raise a wee glass for him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IbroxBurnzy 484 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 RIP Alex,Hopefully get the turn out you deserve. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teddy bear 1873 57 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 All armed forces present or retired who served their time should be given a proper send off, just as much a hero as any of our boys today.RIP GBNF WATP Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escobar 13,676 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 That's a real shame.I'm off this Friday so going to try make it along.EDIT: Just realised it's in Nottingham, hopefully a few England bears make it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Hume 13,920 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I hope that this message gets the desired result, and that this sad, sad story has a happy ending for Alex and that he gets a proper send off.Deepest condolences and farewell to you Alex, you were appreciated for your service to Queen and country and of course The Rangers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loyal-Bear 229 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Hope he gets a good turn out. Very sad. RIP Alex. Forever a bear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR 1,480 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Rip Alex.Never forgotten, and we'll raise a glass to absent friends of which you'll be one forever. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malvern 11,329 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 RIP Alex, hopefully some bears who can will make the day to show appreciation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
harlands plater 17,193 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 RIP Alex.Hope any Bears in the area and maybe the local British Legion can give him the send off he deserves. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carling1873 1,423 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Heart just sank reading that, RIP Alex, you may be gone, however never forgotten!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
We Will Follow Rangers 13,405 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Have sent an e-mail to the sec of Wollaton Royal British Legion Club containing the above. Hopefully they will be aware already. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Hume 13,920 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Have sent an e-mail to the sec of Wollaton Royal British Legion Club containing the above. Hopefully they will be aware already. Good on you mate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
We Will Follow Rangers 13,405 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 The absolute least mate.Hopefully they have been contacted already and his former regiment as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IbroxBurnzy 484 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Have sent an e-mail to the sec of Wollaton Royal British Legion Club containing the above. Hopefully they will be aware already.Well played mate!!?????? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
markem 7,407 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 RIP Alex. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavieMacRFC 852 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Rip Alex.Hope he gets the turnout he deserves and I hope the club can at least send some representative or acknowledge him in some way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frommetoyou 60 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 RIP Alex. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inigo 33,408 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 RIP, Alex. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinty 1,445 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I'm going to go along - please post this link on other Rangers sites:http://www.nottinghampost.com/Appeal-mourners-attend-funeral-unknown-soldier/story-26751812-detail/story.htmllex McDougall served his country for 30 years - being shot at and almost starving to death on meagre rations.Mr McDougall, who passed away aged 77 on June 8, was "married to the job" and has no known relatives or friends - which has led to an appeal for mourners to attend his funeral.Staff from Beeston Lodge Nursing Home, where he lived for 18 years, are appealing for anyone with a link to Chetwynd Barracks or the military in general to go along to the service, at Bramcote Crematorium at 3.45pm this Friday. And as Mr McDougall was a huge Rangers FC fan - his ashes will be scattered at Ibrox Stadium and he will be buried in a Rangers fleece blanket - they would also like fellow team fans to pay their respects.Anyone else is welcome to help give Mr McDougall a fitting send-off.Aisha Morrell, activities and welfare manager at the home in Beeston Rylands, knew Mr McDougall, a jazz fan, for five years and had grown fond of him.She said: "He has no living family and no friends we are aware of so it is unlikely anyone will be at his funeral. He was very much married to the job."He served his country, and he was such a nice man. It doesn't seem any way for a send-off."Mr McDougall served with the Army in Scotland as a youngster, but moved to Beeston when he was 21, signing up at Chetwynd Barracks.His parents died in a car crash when he was young.He was a gunner and toured Cyprus and Portugal.Care home staff are looking into the possibility he may have been awarded the British Empire Medal.Ms Morrell said Mr McDougall, a "very proud man" who suffered from dementia and died from cancer, had told her tales of playing pranks on his Army colleagues.She has tried appeals on military pages on social media to no avail.Home manager Bev Hamilton said: "I just feel like he deserves some sort of a send-off. His life was the Army. He was very popular within the home. He didn't have any visitors but when other people came to see their relatives he was always friendly."I kept him up to-date with the football scores. He was a lovely chap and such a big character."A spokeswoman for Rangers said: "Rangers Football Club is deeply saddened to hear loyal Rangers fan Alex McDougall has passed away. The club will make contact with the local supporters club with regard to the funeral."Former Nottingham Forest centre-forward Kenny Burns, who played for the team from 1977 to 1981, is a life-long Rangers fan.He said: "When Rangers supporters find out about this guy I think good numbers will go along. In a club they are a family."David Thomas, of the Royal Artillery Association Nottingham branch, said: "It's a shame that people like this drop out of the Army family. We will do everything we can to get somebody there."Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Appeal-mourners-attend-funeral-unknown-soldier/story-26751812-detail/story.html#ixzz3dvTeozFi Follow us: @Nottingham_Post on Twitter | NottinghamPostOnline on Facebook Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingKai 439 Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Thats so sad. No family or friends... Really hope some people can make it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB 599 Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 Thanks friends, No Bear or British Soldier should ever pass on without fellow Bears and squadies there to mark the passing. RIP Alex another proud bear to sit in Blue Lodge. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bossorange 696 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Rip Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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