Campaign to raise cash to save war hero who died on Remembrance Sunday from pauper’s funeral
Strangers rally to pay tribute to Major David Sharp who spent two years as a prisoner of war in Korea in the 1950s
A WAR hero who died on Remembrance Sunday faced having a pauper's funeral - until strangers joined a campaign to give him the send-off he deserves.
Major David Sharp BEM was the last Commonwealth prisoner to be released by the Chinese at the end of the Korean War.
He was tortured - and even faced a firing squad - after being captured behind enemy lines as an intelligence officer.
But despite his heroic career, the Sun Online can exclusively reveal that the 88-year-old veteran has been at risk of missing out on the send-off he deserves.
He even remains 300 miles from his home in Ashford, Kent, after dying with no surviving family or a will while attending Remembrance events in St Mawgan, Cornwall.
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This inspired friend Emma Barritt to lead a heart-warming campaign calling on others to dig deep and donate.
"He touched the lives of many and won a special place in my heart," said Emma, ex-branch secretary at Major Sharp's local Royal British Legion.
"He was a special old boy and I could listen to him chat about his stories as a prisoner of war forever.
"He has no family unfortunately and no will that can be found.
"There was a risk he would have a pauper's funeral - and that is just so sad.
"He doesn't deserve that."
After launching a , Emma was given some good news by Chris Falke - a trustee at .
The charity, which supports armed forces during their lifetime, has just signed a cheque for £5,000 - to bring Mr Sharp home and pay for his funeral.
Strangers have also donated £340 to the JustGiving page.
Mr Falke said: "We were very touched by his story.
"We all thought he deserved better than what he was going to get.
"He has earned a good send-off."
Sadly, Major Sharp is far from the only war hero who has faced being forgotten by his country in death.
Major Sharp was just 17 years old when he joined the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.
In 1950 he was appointed Battalion Intelligence Sergeant at the outbreak of the Korean War - which went on to kill up to one million people.
A year later, while trying to fight his way through a Chinese road block, Major Sharp was wounded and captured.
He attempted to escape numerous times during his two-year imprisonment.
He later became the 476th – and last – Commonwealth prisoner to be released by the Chinese at the end of the war.
Right up until the last few days of his life, Major Sharp continued to support the armed forces.
On November 13, he died while camping with military friends after laying a wreath at a Remembrance Parade hundreds of miles from his home.
Emma, added: "I am so overwhelmed and speechless that we have been able to raise the money for David.
"I just want to thank from the bottom of my heart."
> If you want to donate money for the funeral, click .