The broadcaster reported from the funeral service of a beloved serviceman

GB News broadcast from the service of a World War 2 veteran who died (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster/Reach)

GB News paid tribute to World War 2 veteran Gilbert Clarke following his death on May 26 at the age of 100. Will Godley reported for the channel from his memorial service held in east London on Saturday.

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Speaking to the studio from outside the town hall, where the service was being held, he said: “It’s a moving service celebrating the life of Gilbert Constantine Clarke. And on the front of the order of service, it has four pillars of his life highlighted. Of course, being an RAF World War 2 veteran, but also a Windrush pioneer, a musician, and a community elder, and the service here today brought together all four of those pillars of his life.”

“Current RAF servicemen acted as pallbearers, carrying his coffin up into the town hall behind me, and an RAF representative paid tribute to Gilbert during the service, saying: ‘Leading aircraftman Gilbert Clarke, your duty is complete. Your service honoured, your watch ended in peace.’”

After recalling Gilbert’s life and career he cut to a clip he had recorded earlier speaking to friend Sir Patrick Vernon, who paid his own tribute to the war veteran.

Sir Patrick said: “Gilbert was really self-made, as many veterans were during that time period. He was educated, sharp, witty, funny, really good sense of humour, but more important for me, he had this passion to tell his story, along with other veterans, about their contributions to the World War 2, and the legacy.

“I’ve done a lot of work around the Windrush generation. He was part of that generation, and I think it’s important that we acknowledge that I was involved in the campaign for National Windrush Day … and Gilbert’s part of that history,

Returning to Godley, he said: “What’s clear is just what an amazing life Gilbert led. On the back of the Order of Service photographs of him meeting some truly incredible people, including Joanna Lumley, the King and q=Queen, and also Emmanuel Macron, among other people, as well.

GB News Will Godley reported from the funeral of World War 2 veteran Gilbert Clark (Image: GB News)

“An incredible life he lived. And in a recent interview, before he died, he was asked why he wanted to come to Britain, and he said it was out of a sense of duty to fight for King and country and to play his part in ensuring we left the world a better place for everyone.”

Gilbert lied about his age, joining the RAF in his native Jamaica, before being sent to Britain on a troop ship via the US, where he proudly served as a mechanic and radar operator.

Stationed at British and American air bases, he fitted, serviced and repaired radar and other electronic equipment for frontline fighter planes, including Hurricanes and Spitfires.

He settled in Britain after the war, becoming a father of eight, grandfather of 12, great-grandfather of 11, and great-great-grandfather of three. He had lived with his eldest daughter, Norma, in Plaistow, east London.

Wheelchair-bound in his later years, he was a regular at trips organised by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, including pilgrimages to the D-Day beaches and its annual seaside shindig in Worthing, where he would tuck into an ice cream (and a tot or two of rum) and reminisce with his wartime pals.