A LARGE congregation of people joined together to say farewell to a Dambusters squadron legend.

A total of about 50 people attended the furneral of Bernard Mabey from Southend, who joined 617 Bomber Command two years after the world famous raids serving his country and his community until the age of 92.

Bernie passed away peacefully in Southend Hospital and his funeral service was held at Southend Crematorium, South Chapel, Southend.

Following his passing the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association is inviting people to pay their respects at his cremation.

It was attended by military comrades and standard bearers.

Michelle Turner-Everett, from SSAFA Southend Veterans Lunch Club – which was the highlight of Bernard’s week, said: “Seeing so many people come together to celebrate the life of a great man was entirely fitting. His family and friends took comfort in the sharing of wonderful memories of Bernie. He is sadly gone, but will never be forgotten by any of us.”

Bernie, as he was known to his friends, joined the RAF during the Second World War aged 18 and remained for four years before starting a family.

In his later years Bernie would catch up with his other former military pals on a weekly basis at the charity’s veteran lunch club

The Dambusters raid was an attack on German dams carried out in May 1943 using a purpose-built “bouncing bomb” developed by Barnes Wallis which seriously damaged the Nazi war machine.