Taiwan honours last wish of British WWII veteran by draping its national flag over coffin
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The funeral of British veteran Gerald Fitzpatrick, who was rescued by the Republic of China (Taiwan)’s Nationalist troops in Burma during World War II, was held in Leeds on 20 September. Taiwan’s Representative in the UK David Y.L. Lin, along with four military officers from Taiwan, attended the funeral and draped the country’s flag over the coffin at the ceremony to fulfil the wishes of the former British soldier.
Mr Gerald Fitzpatrick served as a captain in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and had repeatedly requested to have his coffin draped in the Taiwanese flag at his funeral as a tribute to the rescue mission carried out by the country’s troops in 1942.
In his remarks at the World War II veteran’s funeral, Representative Lin expressed condolences to Captain Fitzpatrick’s family on behalf of the government of Taiwan. “Mr Fitzpatrick was a true friend to Taiwan…The government of Taiwan attaches great importance to Mr Fitzpatrick’s last wish and by fulfilling it, we’ve paid him our high tribute,” said Representative Lin.
