MORE than 300 mourners attended the funeral of a popular Korean War veteran from Stockton-on-the-Forest, who was "liked by everyone."

Stan Hudson, 68, served as a Royal Navy chef on the destroyer, HMS Comus in the Korean War from 1951 to 1952 and was caretaker at Huntington School in York for 31 happy years.

He leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Anne, and three sons, Steven, Andrew and Ian.

Standard bearers from nearly 20 Service associations including the Royal British Legion, the Fleet Air Arm and the HMS Comus Association marched behind the coffin as it arrived at Holy Trinity Church, Stockton-on-the-Forest, for the funeral service.

As a member and former chairman of the HMS Comus Association, Mr Hudson attended twice-yearly reunions in York and Portsmouth.

Mr Hudson was an active member of numerous Service and community associations in York and was a former standard bearer of the British Korean Veterans.

He was awarded the United Nations and Korean Medal in 1954.

He was a former chairman of the York branch of the Royal Naval Association (RNA), a member of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla Association, a former president of Bootham and Monk Bar Conservative Club and a member of Huntington Allotment Association.

Michael Farrington is current secretary of the York branch of the Royal Naval Association.

He said: "I knew Stan for over thirty years. He was liked by everyone. He loved people and in return they loved him. Stan was a great organiser and a real humanitarian."

Bernard Hallas, RNA publicity officer, said: "Stan was a very large, jovial man. He was very well respected and people came to pay their respects from all over Yorkshire."

Mr Hudson was a very keen gardener and held an allotment at Huntington.

He also played bowls for the Ainsty and Bootham bowls clubs and was a former vice-president of Stockton and Hopgrove Cricket Club.

He was buried at Huntington Cemetery.