Daughter of alleged Wallsend murder victim John Smyth reveals pride and devastation at funeral
The 63-year-old Royal Navy veteran died after an alleged attack in Wallsend
by Sophie Doughty · ChronicleLiveAlleged murder victim John Smyth was a proud father and big "character" who had come to Tyneside for a fresh start.
And the 63-year-old had been looking forward to starting a new job when he died, just four weeks after moving to Wallsend. More details of John's life were revealed at his funeral in Newcastle on Wednesday.
Family members and former servicemen gathered at the city's West Road Crematorium to pay their respects to the Royal Navy Veteran, at a funeral organised by Newcastle City Council. And celebrant Lyndsey Bell read an emotional tribute to John on behalf of his teenage daughter, who told of her devastation at losing her dad.
She said: "I'm so proud of the man he was. We had a strange relationship at times, no-one understood it other than me and him. It's a shame he won't meet his grandchildren, or be able to walk me down the aisle. I will never forget all the good times we had."
John, who mourners heard served during the Falklands War, was found seriously injured at a flat in Wallsend, just four weeks after he moved to the North East from Derby. The 63-year-old was pronounced dead in hospital soon after. George Ness, 41, of Avon Avenue in North Shields, has since appeared in court accused of his murder.
Fellow ex-servicemen travelled from all over the country to ensure John received the send-off he deserved. His flag-draped coffin was driven into the grounds of the crematorium by a hearse led by two veterans carrying Royal Navy flags. And the former servicemen, dressed in uniform, formed a guard of honour as John was carried into the chapel to the sounds of Life on Mars, by his favourite musician David Bowie.
Ms Bell lead a service filled with anecdotes from John's early life in Glasgow and his military career. She told how as a child growing up in a family that had very little, John did three paper rounds to support his mum. He joined the Navy at the age of 17.
"He said had he not signed up he would be on a path to prison and death," said Ms Bell. "It was the making of John. In his time in the Navy he travelled all over the world. He discovered a brotherhood he held dear. He was so proud of his service to Queen and country and he made many friends."
After leaving the Navy, John had a son and a daughter and worked as an electrical engineer for a number of companies, including Network Rail.
John also loved sport, music and trips to the pub. He was a regular at The Coronation pub in Derby and mourners were told that drinkers at the pub would be raising a glass to John this week.
"Anyone who knew John would know he was a character, interesting and intelligent," said Ms Bell. "He would do anything to help you if he could. John was a proud man, he was a proud dad and a proud serviceman and the world is worst off without him."
And Ms Bell explained how John's move to Holly Avenue, where he was allegedly killed, was supposed to be the start of a bright future for him.
"He had been hoping for a fresh start when he moved," she said. "He was doing well. He had a job lined up on the trains."
The Last Post was played inside the chapel before the service came to a close and mourners left to the sound of Amy Winehouse's Back to Black.
Ness was remanded in custody after being charged with John's murder. He appeared before a judge at Newcastle Crown Court last month via video-link from prison. Charges of murder, threatening with a knife and possessing a knife were not put to him. A provisional trial date was set for February 18 next year and Ness will be back in court for a plea and trial preparation hearing next week.
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