His final months may have been marked by tragedy but Aberdeen army veteran James Clunes received “a send-off to be proud of”.
As a lone piper played Highland Cathedral, the body of the retired Scots Guard sergeant was flanked by a guard of honour.
His coffin, covered by the regional standard, was carried into Aberdeen crematorium, by army colleagues and he received one final salute from two serving soldiers there to honour the 75-year-old Dons fan one last time.
“He would have been so proud. As we all are of him,” said Stephen Clunes, James’ younger brother.
Fighting fit
James Clunes was born in Aberdeen on December 10 1946. The eldest of five children for trawler chief engineer and steel erector James Clunes and his wife Ruby.
For most of his childhood James – known as Jim to his friends – lived in Park Street.
He attended King Street the Frederick School but left at 15 to work in a fish house as a filleter.
A very fit young man he excelled in football and boxing which he carried on into his career. In 1964 he joined the Scots Guards and on many occasions during his active service years he represented the army in both sports.
James began his training in the south of England and would extensively travel the world over more than two decades.
Happy memories
Stephen was just a toddler when his big brother left for the army.
He said: “James always made the biggest effort to come home for New Year. My family were kind of famous in the street for their parties. It was always a surprise to my mother that he made it back home.”
During his 24-year military career James achieved the rank of sergeant and completed tours of Canada, Kenya, Libya, Germany, Hong Kong and Northern Ireland.
James left the army in 1988 and relocated to Carlisle with his wife and two children.
Following their divorce he returned to Aberdeen.
Pittodrie proud
James was a lifelong Dons fan and still held a season ticket.
“Where we grew up you could see Pittodrie and one of James’ earliest memories was watching the crowds filing down to the stadium,” said Stephen.
“My mum would religiously send him the Green Final every Monday wherever he was in the world. He didn’t have the heart to tell her he had no interest in cricket in the summer – he just wanted to find out about Aberdeen Football Club.”
Until ill health stopped him, James attended every home and away game he could and was a member of the Northern Lights Supporters Club.
His brother added: “Even if the bus didn’t run he would make his own way there. He was a Dons man through and through.”
A weel kent face
Over the years James had several part-time jobs in the city’s pubs including King’s Bar, and the Balaclava Bar.
He was known, however, by a wide circle of friends in the Castle Bar, Jimmy Wilson’s and Wordies Ale House before it closed. Latterly he liked to meet friends in the Parkvale Social Club.
For over 20 years James also worked for Robert Gordon University, Schoolhill.
Until he was 70 he held down two part-time jobs; a janitorial role in the mornings and in the gatehouse in the afternoon.
Health battles
James’ strength wasn’t just reserved for his days in the army.
For more than a decade he stoically tackled three different cancer diagnoses of the throat, mouth and tongue.
Relentless chemotherapy and radiotherapy took its toll on James’ body though his family say he never once complained.
“Always just so brave and understated about how awful it was. He faced it every time with optimism,” said Stephen.
“Over the last few years he wasn’t able to eat or drink and got his nourishment from a tube feed.
“And even then I never heard him moan or complain. I know it did get him down when his speech became affected but in truth none of us really know how bad the cancer was because he shielded us from that.
“The nurses and doctors kept saying how ‘absolutely remarkable’ he was.”
Touched by support
Following a stay in hospital in June, James was discharged home, though frail.
He met with friends for a game of bingo but on his return to his Seaton flat the army veteran was allegedly stabbed and brutally beaten inside his home.
“I found it hard to look at him, I was just so angry. It changed him. Even when he moved into new supported accommodation he was nervous about security.
“He was really touched though by all the support.”
Former Aberdeen FC club captain Joe Lewis was among those to send well wishes to James.
At peace
An uncle to his two nephews and niece James was close to his family. Though extremely shaken by the alleged in summer he was admitted to hospital for a small hernia operation in November.
“Unusually after the op he told me he was a wee bit sore,” said Stephen. “However, complications, made worse by previous illness, meant he deteriorated.”
On the early house of Sunday, November 27, James passed away with his family by his side.
“He was finally – after probably one of the worst years of his life – at peace.”
The Last Post
James was laid to rest on Friday, December 9 at Aberdeen Crematorium wearing his army blazer and tie.
His ex-army colleagues formed a guard of honour.
In tribute to James, who was a standard bearer for retired Scots Guards, the standard was lowered inside the chapel.
A piper came from Edinburgh Castle and played Highland Cathedral as the coffin, draped in the regional standard, was brought in to the service. The Black Bear was piped at the committal.
Stephen added: “It was tremendous. James would have been so proud. My brother served his country and though recent months have not been a fitting end for a life of service his funeral certainly was.”
Flowers from the service have now been laid at his beloved Pittodrie.