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Chauffeur killed in Shoreham air disaster makes final journey Chauffeur killed in Shoreham air disaster makes final journey
(about 2 hours later)
A chauffeur who died in the Shoreham air disaster has made his final journey – to a church where he delivered brides on their wedding day.A chauffeur who died in the Shoreham air disaster has made his final journey – to a church where he delivered brides on their wedding day.
The coffin of car enthusiast Maurice Abrahams, 76, was brought to his funeral at St Margaret’s Church in Rottingdean, East Sussex, in a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur on Wednesday. The coffin of car enthusiast Maurice Abrahams, 76, was brought to his funeral at St Margaret’s church in Rottingdean, East Sussex, in a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur on Wednesday.
Related: Shoreham airshow disaster: the 11 victimsRelated: Shoreham airshow disaster: the 11 victims
It was the same church that Abrahams had driven brides to countless times on their wedding days in his beloved Daimler.It was the same church that Abrahams had driven brides to countless times on their wedding days in his beloved Daimler.
Vicar Martin Morgan said good-humoured Abrahams often played “quite interesting” music on those poignant journeys, including Another One Bites the Dust and I Want to Break Free. Vicar Martin Morgan said good-humoured Abrahams often played “quite interesting” music on those journeys, including Another One Bites the Dust and I Want to Break Free.
Morgan said that the former policeman was a “unique”, “extraordinary” and “special” man, who always dressed immaculately. Morgan said the former policeman was a “unique”, “extraordinary” and “special” man, who always dressed immaculately.
He told mourners: “Thinking about him in the midst of all the horror that happened and the tragedy that happened, one of the words that keeps coming to my mind is ‘service’. He told mourners: “Thinking about him in the midst of all the horror that happened and the tragedy that happened, one of the words that keeps coming to my mind is service.
“He gave service to his nation in various ways – as a guardsman, as a paratrooper and as a policeman. I suspect he thought ladies liked uniform.”“He gave service to his nation in various ways – as a guardsman, as a paratrooper and as a policeman. I suspect he thought ladies liked uniform.”
Abrahams was among 11 people who died during the Shoreham airshow on August 22, when a Hawker Hunter jet crashed on to the A27.Abrahams was among 11 people who died during the Shoreham airshow on August 22, when a Hawker Hunter jet crashed on to the A27.
During a lifetime spent helping others, Morgan recalled Abrahams’s last act of kindness – which prevented a family being caught up in the disaster.During a lifetime spent helping others, Morgan recalled Abrahams’s last act of kindness – which prevented a family being caught up in the disaster.
He said: “The last act that he did on this Earth was for other people. We know that he allowed another car in – he made a space for them – and that family lived. He said: “The last act that he did on this Earth was for other people. We know that he allowed another car in – he made a space for them – and that family lived. They are grateful to him.”
“They are grateful to him.”
Among the dozens of flowers brought to the church was one from the family he inadvertently saved, with a card containing the simple message: “To the family of Maurice Abrahams. In memory.”Among the dozens of flowers brought to the church was one from the family he inadvertently saved, with a card containing the simple message: “To the family of Maurice Abrahams. In memory.”
Comrades from the Parachute Regiment formed a guard of honour as his coffin arrived at church to The Ride of the Valkyries. Old members of the Grenadier Guards were also present. Comrades from the Parachute Regiment formed a guard of honour as his coffin arrived at church to the Ride of the Valkyries. Old members of the Grenadier Guards were also present.
Morgan recalled Abrahams’s keen sense of humour in front of a packed church, including his wife Edwina, son Eddie and daughter Lizzie.Morgan recalled Abrahams’s keen sense of humour in front of a packed church, including his wife Edwina, son Eddie and daughter Lizzie.
Before the Last Post sounded ahead of a private committal, friend David Spalding said he was a devoted family man who gave his wife flowers every Saturday and “made friends at the drop of a hat”.Before the Last Post sounded ahead of a private committal, friend David Spalding said he was a devoted family man who gave his wife flowers every Saturday and “made friends at the drop of a hat”.
Abrahams, a former police officer with Hampshire constabulary, was en route to collect a bride for her wedding at the time.Abrahams, a former police officer with Hampshire constabulary, was en route to collect a bride for her wedding at the time.
A former member of the Grenadier Guards and Parachute Regiment, Mr Abrahams had served in Cyprus and Bahrain with the UN.A former member of the Grenadier Guards and Parachute Regiment, Mr Abrahams had served in Cyprus and Bahrain with the UN.
In his later years, he enjoyed work chauffeuring in his Daimler for East Sussex-based Chariots Chauffeurs, as well as gardening. In his later years, he enjoyed chauffeuring in his Daimler for East Sussex-based Chariots Chauffeurs, as well as gardening.
An interim report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch found “no abnormal indications” during the Hawker Hunter flight.An interim report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch found “no abnormal indications” during the Hawker Hunter flight.
Related: Shoreham airshow crash plane working normally, interim report suggestsRelated: Shoreham airshow crash plane working normally, interim report suggests
Investigators also noted that cockpit cameras showed the 1950s jet “appeared to be responding to the pilot’s control inputs”. Investigators also noted that cockpit cameras showed that the 1950s jet “appeared to be responding to the pilot’s control inputs”.
The other victims that died were retired engineer James Graham Mallinson, 72, from Newick, near Lewes; window cleaner and general builder Mark Trussler, 54, from Worthing; cycling friends Dylan Archer, 42, from Brighton, and Richard Smith, 26, from Hove; NHS manager Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove; grandfather Mark Reeves, 53, from Seaford; Worthing United footballers Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, both 23; personal trainer Matt Jones, 24; and Daniele Polito, 23, from Worthing. The other victims who died were retired engineer James Graham Mallinson, 72, from Newick, near Lewes; window cleaner and general builder Mark Trussler, 54, from Worthing; cycling friends Dylan Archer, 42, from Brighton, and Richard Smith, 26, from Hove; NHS manager Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove; grandfather Mark Reeves, 53, from Seaford; Worthing United footballers Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, both 23; personal trainer Matt Jones, 24; and Daniele Polito, 23, from Worthing.
The inquest into their deaths was opened and adjourned last week by West Sussex senior coroner Penelope Schofield. A pre-inquest review will take place on 22 March. The inquest into their deaths was opened and adjourned last week by the West Sussex senior coroner, Penelope Schofield. A pre-inquest review will take place on 22 March.