Mourners pay respects to Bournemouth's 'Gordon the Tramp'

Family, friends and strangers gathered at North Cemetery in Charminster for Gordon’s funeral on Thursday, December 21, after he sadly died last month aged 94.

Born locally and one of 11 children, Gordon was a massive Poole Pirates and AFC Bournemouth fan regularly attending fixtures at Poole Stadium and Dean Court.

He previously worked on a farm and was ‘so loved’ by the people of Bournemouth, becoming known for his ability to tell the time without a watch.

His funeral service began fittingly with a poem entitled ‘The Tramp’.

His family paid tribute, before 500 Miles by the Proclaimers was played, and poem One at Rest was read.

Finally, You’ll Never Walk Alone played as mourners bid their farewells to Gordon.

Gordon the Tramp (Image: Daily Echo)

Jess Broom, Gordon’s great-niece, shared her memories of him.

“As a kid, I never really saw him, because he was always out in town, like an 18-year-old,” she said.

“I remember when I was a kid, there used to be strangers coming to our house. They said ‘we want to see Gordon.'

“[I used to think] why do you want to see Gordon, that’s so weird.

“But as I grew up, as I started going out to town, people would be like ‘Gordon’s there’, and I’d be like ‘oh no, Gordon’s there’, so it was a bit awkward to see him out in town when I was in town.”

Jess said he was ‘always so funny’ and that there are many stories of him giving people cigarettes and alcohol in the town centre while ensuring everyone got home safely.

“He was always so positive and happy and funny. Telling the time without a watch, that was what everyone knows him for,” she said.

“That’s basically Gordon.”

Derek Roberts is the youngest of Gordon’s siblings.

He said: “I used to go to Pirates and the football with him and my two boys. I’ve been out of touch with him and it was nice to meet everybody up here today.

“Everyone knew him. His nickname was called Tarzan, don’t know why.”

Family friend, Alister Cadness added: “Everybody knew him well around the town. He didn’t have a watch and he knew the time well. I think he is a great asset to this whole town, Bournemouth.

“All his friends in town are going to miss him.”