Dedications have come in from around the country after the death of a man described as having the Royal Navy in his blood.
Keith Crawford MBE was in the institution for 23 years and then chair of the Spalding branch of the Royal Naval Association for 37 years.
After growing up in Whaplode, he joined aged 17 and was an aircraft technician on carriers including HMS Ark Royal, HMS Victoria and HMS Hermes.
Keith also had spells stationed in Wales, Scotland and Malta when it was granted independence in the 1960s.
Even after leaving armed service and turning to being manager of the Youth Training Scheme at Spalding and forming K and K Windows, he continued to support the Navy through the Royal Naval Association.
As well as overseeing the Spalding branch, Keith was a regional chair and vice president nationally.
He was awarded the MBE in 2014.
In the same year he suffered a stroke.
Despite being given 48 hours to live he died aged 85, ten years to the day of the stroke.
Around 250 attended his funeral at South Lincs Crematorium on Monday, January 13.
“He put his heart into the Royal Navy,” said Keith’s wife Yvonne who was by his side for 67 years. “In their eulogy the association said he had the organisation running through his veins.
“It was incredible seeing the reaction to him at the funeral.”
Rodney Grocock, of the Spalding branch of the Royal Naval Association, said: “Keith was known to all his colleagues as ‘biscuit’ and he dedicated his while life to either serving in the Royal Navy or being a member of the Royal Naval Association.
“At a usual Armistice Serving there are normally four standard bearers in attendance but at Keith’s funeral there were seven.
“This goes to show how much Keith was respected.”
