Airline agrees to fly RAF hero home

11:50am Monday 22nd September 2008

AN AIRLINE has stepped in to pay for the body of an RAF war hero to be flown home — after he died on holiday and his insurance company refused to foot the bill.

Ronald Peters, aged 88, was in Menorca with four friends when he suffered a fatal heart attack.

Insurance company, Europ Assistance, refused to pay for his repatriation because he suffered a minor heart attack 30 years ago, which was not declared when the policy was bought.

Now, Monarch Airlines, with whom Mr Peters flew to Menorca, has agreed to provide the flight home However, the family still faces a £3,000 bill for international funeral directors’ services.

Grandson Max Flanigan said: “It is good news and I would like to thank Monarch for coming forward because they were under no obligation to do this."

During the Second World War, Mr Peters was a rear gunner on a Lancaster bomber — one of the most dangerous jobs in the RAF.

He took part in the Normandy campaign in 1944 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

A widower, Mr Peters, of Bradshaw, flew to Menorca on Friday, September 5, with four fellow members of Bradshaw Conservative Club.

The flights and insurance were booked online as a group with Monarch Airlines, whose insurance is arranged through Europ Assistance.

Mr Peters’ previous heart attack was not included on the policy as the member of the party who booked the flights was not aware of it.

Mr Peters’ funeral will take place at Overdale Crematorium on Thursday, September 25.

The service will begin at 4pm and will be followed by a function at Bradshaw Conservative Club.

His family has asked for donations to be made to the carers’ charity Crossroads.