Private farewell to Jimmy Sinclair, old soldier and legendary Fifer

The Kirkcaldy veteran died at the age of 107 last week, will be laid to rest on Friday. He was one of Britain’s last surviving Desert Rat and Scotland’s oldest man.

Fife’s civic leaders had planned something akin to a military funeral for the highly regarded man, but coronavirus restrictions mean it will be a private, family affair.

Jimmy's funeral will be at Kirkcaldy Crematorium at 11:45 am on Friday.

Councillor Rod Kavanagh, Fife’s armed forces champion described him as “an amazing man” and added: “He was an icon in Kirkcaldy. When we had our armed forces commemoration day parades, he was always this iconic character who would take pride of place.

“Along with Jim Kinloch, the deputy Lord Lieutenant, we had planned something akin to a military funeral for him, but unfortunately now that’s not going to be possible.”

Only last month Jimmy was featured in an exhibition of photographs to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/environment/fife-looks-re-open-more-recycling-centres-2874482

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/people/tributes-paid-fife-funeral-director-diamond-man-who-helped-so-many-2874501

He was the last remaining Desert Rat and the last surviving Scottish soldier who served in the 7th Armoured Division alongside Field Marshall Montgomery.

He served in a number of notable battles, including the siege of Tobrok, Monte Cassino and El Alamein.

After the war, Jimmy struck up a friendship with the son of the leader of the African-based German forces that he spent years fighting against – Erwin Rommel, and spent several years corresponding with Manfred Rommel until his death in 2013.

He also engaged in regular correspondence with Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Rothesay, and met them on several occasions. Camilla’s father Bruce Shand also served in Africa as a British Army officer.

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