A FAMILY of a war hero have been left furious after getting a parking ticket during his funeral.
Donald Hunter’s family and friends were stunned when they filed out of his send-off to find his cortege had been booked in Tenterden, Kent.
Mourners gathered at St Mildred’s Church to pay their respects to the revered war hero Donald when they were met with a shocking sight.
A parking ticket had been plastered on the limousine that carried the grieving family.
I’m disappointed for my father, who did so much for the country and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds
Ian Hunter
The veteran’s son Hunter slammed: “It’s disgraceful. There was an outcry in the street and I was quite amazed they had done it.
“It wasn’t the right time for my dad’s legacy there in the high street to give out a parking ticket.
“It wasn’t the right time for my dad’s legacy there in the high street to give out a parking ticket.”
Representatives from the Royal Navy, Royal Engineers and the Royal Norwegian Naval Attaché attended the funeral.
The limousine was parked on zigzag lines in Tenterden High Street.
National President of the Merchant Navy Association Vivian Foster OBE was the first to spot the parking ticket.
She said the vehicle was positioned there out of need as the hearse led the procession in a tight and bustling street.
The 78-year-old added: “The vehicle had to be parked nearby, as the only way to take the coffin into the church was along a gangway between two shops.
“You can’t walk down the busy high street with a coffin.
“We’d had wonderful emotional thanksgiving for the life of a person who had been in the D-Day landings and then further in the war.
“Then, you get a bloody parking ticket on the funeral car. It’s just so dreadful – it’s beyond words.
“You really ought to have respect for those who have died.”
The late Mr. Hunter, who died aged 98, was a beloved hero among men.
He braved the beaches of Normandy during the infamous D-Day landings.
The hero’s family have slammed the traffic warden’s decision and claimed it ruined his dad’s honourable send-off.
His son added: “It was a very moving service for a great man, and I am very proud to be his son.
“It wasn’t right to come out of a military funeral for my father and see a parking ticket for the car. Myself and the rest of the family are not very happy.
“I’m disappointed for my father, who did so much for the country and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds.
“If dad had been there to see the ticket, he would not have been impressed…’f****** traffic wardens’ is what I can imagine he would say.”
After the huge rage among family and friends, local funeral directors TW Fuggle and Son contested the charge – and it was later cancelled.
Funeral director Simon Fuggle said: “We are pleased that common sense has prevailed.
“The issuing of the ticket was very distressing for both the family and us.”
The Rev Canon Lindsay Hammond, who took the service at St Mildred’s, added: “It was disappointing to come out of the church, from a lovely service for someone who had served his country with great distinction, to find that the funeral car had received a penalty notice.
“I understand that our civil enforcement officers have a difficult job to do, but we also have to accommodate funerals in a far-from-easy location.
“I am grateful to Ashford Borough Council for revoking the penalty notice.”
The council offered a formal apology and recognised the emotional impact their actions had on the bereaved family.
A spokesman for Ashford Borough Council told The Sun Online: “On appeal of this PCN, we can confirm that it has been cancelled.
“We appreciate that this must have been a very sad and upsetting time for family and friends attending the service and if our actions have caused any further upset then we are sorry for that.
“The vehicle in question had been left unattended, partially on zig zag lines which is a driving offence. It is our legal duty to enforce road traffic orders and issue Penalty Charge Notices in accordance with the Traffic Management Act.
“We must act fairly and consistently and therefore if any of our CEOs witness a contravention then they must issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
“The council recognises that weddings and funerals are important occasions. Essential vehicles such as, funeral hearse, limousines or wedding limousine, might need to park quite centrally or near the premises being used for the occasion however there is no automatic exemption for funeral or wedding vehicles.”
Donald was just a teenager when he and his comrades took part in Operation Neptune, the combined Royal and Merchant Navy landing on June 6, 1944.
He later chronicled the events of that day, including how his convoy came under heavy bombardment from German naval gun emplacements as it progressed through the Strait of Dover.
In February 2020 Donald was awarded the prestigious Norwegian King’s Commemorative Gold Medal.
In 2004, the French Embassy presented him with the Légion d’Honneur for his part in the Normandy Landings, the highest French military and civilian order of merit.
He married wife Jean in 1947 and she died in October 2019.
