"Many hundreds" of strangers are set to attend the funeral of a 97-year-old RAF veteran upon hearing his service was going to be attended by three people.

The Suffolk Royal British Legion has thanked everyone for their response after putting out a plea on social media ahead of the funeral of Ronald Frank Gale.

The service later this month was set to be a small one, with just a neighbour and two solicitors attending.

The legion's post has been shared across the world, with the funeral now set to be attended by representatives of the Army, RAF, the cadets and possibly a motorcycle escort.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mr Ronald Frank Gale. Credit: Estate of Ronald GaleMr Ronald Frank Gale. Credit: Estate of Ronald Gale (Image: Estate of Ronald Gale)

There is also a piper and a bugler attending.

Mr Gale passed away at his home in Ipswich at the age of 97 on December 23.

The veteran was a private man, with the only known image of him from recent years on his bus pass.

His solicitors said that they had only been able to find a few pictures of Mr Gale when cleaning out his property.

Mr Gale was a huge cat lover, with there being "thousands" of pictures of his cats from over the years.

His cat has now been taken in and adopted by his neighbour.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ronald Gale (third row up, five places in from left) with his squadron in July 1944. Credit: Estate of Ronald GaleRonald Gale (third row up, five places in from left) with his squadron in July 1944. Credit: Estate of Ronald Gale (Image: Estate of Ronald Gale)

Little is known about his military service, other than a picture which shows him as part of the No. 47 Flight Squadron and No. 36 R&C Wing squad taken in July 1944.

Since the post went out on social media, it has received over 1,000 shares, and has been seen by 143,000 people, including people in Ipswich, Australia.

Suffolk Royal British Legion said: "We thank everyone for their support on this request and it is now assured that people will be attending the funeral."

Mr Gale's solicitors said: "He was a private man, and this has completely blown up.

"He probably has many, many hundreds of people that he never knew coming along."

His funeral will be at Ipswich Crematorium at 11.45 am on Wednesday, February 22, and attendees should email Suffolk@britishlegion.org.uk.

East Anglian Daily Times: The only image of Ronald Frank Gale the solicitors could find. Credit: Estate of Ronald GaleThe only image of Ronald Frank Gale the solicitors could find. Credit: Estate of Ronald Gale (Image: Estate of Ronald Gale)