Full steam ahead to meet family’s wishes

Covid-19 restrictions couldn’t stand in the way as a West Midlands family gave their father a memorable send-off, using his beloved steamroller for his final journey.

Philip Jeffs’ funeral took place at Streetly Crematorium in Walsall in March and his son Richard and daughter Ann drove him there using his 14-ton 1931 Fowler steamroller ‘Morning Star’.

The funeral was arranged by Roy Quinton Funeral Directors of Walsall and Funeral Arranger David Evans explained: “Mr Jeffs had previously driven the steamroller back to Dumfries in Scotland, where it was originally owned by the council, a journey which had taken three weeks at the maximum speed of 3mph.

“We were happy to support the family to give him they send-off they wished for – they had asked for the coffin to be secured using ropes and ratchet straps, but we were able to arrange a trailer to meet the crematorium’s requirements.”