FAMILY, friends and comrades turned out to celebrate the life of a decorated Dorchester war hero who was a real life James Bond. Holy Trinity Church was packed for the funeral service of John Brereton, who died earlier this month at the age of 91. Mr Brereton served in the Royal Marines during the Second World War and was part of Ian Fleming's 30AU Commando Assault Unit.

Chairman of the Dorchester Royal Naval Association, George Osborne, who gave the eulogy at the service, said Mr Brereton ? who was born in Bradford Abbas tried to join the Army at 15 but was told to come back when he was 17. Instead, when he turned 17 Mr Brereton joined the Marines and his service during the war saw him involved in the Malta convoys and the evacuation of Crete. In January 1943 he was selected to join the 30AU intelligence unit, which was the brainchild of future James Bond author Mr Fleming and Lord Louis Mountbatten. Mr Brereton used his skills as a photographer, having trained at Pinewood Studios, to photograph Normandy beaches and also trained as a linguist. D-Day saw him land at Omaha beach and he was later involved in the capture of Nazi Grand Admiral Doenitz. Mr Brereton was invalided out of the service in 1948 and went on to become the manager of a naval tailors on Portland and continue his love of photography. His contribution during his time with the Marines saw him awarded the 1939-45 Star, The Defence Medal, Atlantic Star, Arctic Ice Star, African, Italian and French Star and a Gallantry Medal.