Bob Crow's Funeral Attended By Thousands Paying Tribute To RMT Leader In London | HuffPost

Thousands Pay Tribute To The 'Fighter For Working People'

Huffington Post UK/PA

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Thousands of people turned out for the funeral of Bob Crow, the 'fighter for working people', on Monday.

The trade union movement was out in force as they lined the route from near the 52-year-old's house in Woodford, east London, to the City of London Cemetery in Manor Park.

Mr Crow's coffin was carried in a horse-drawn carriage, in traditional East End style.

Story continues after slideshow...

Bob Crow Funeral

Bob Crow Funeral(01 of06)

A trade union member outside the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(02 of06)

Trade union members outside the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(03 of06)

RETRANSMITTED WITH CORRECT ORIENTATIONA trade union member outside the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(04 of06)

Trade union members outside the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(05 of06)

Trade union members outside the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(06 of06)

Trade union members outside the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52. (credit:PA)

The four horses were dressed in blue and white plumage, the colours of Mr Crow's beloved Millwall Football Club.

Hundreds of colourful union banners were displayed along the route, as well as flags from groups such as the Stop The War Coalition, which Mr Crow supported.

A huge banner at the gates of the cemetery, held up by Rail Maritime and Transport union members, read: "Bob Crow 1961 - 2014. RIP Legend".

Posters featuring a photograph of Mr Crow were also displayed at Tube stations.

Paul Kenny, leader of the GMB union, one of many general secretaries paying tribute, said: "Bob was a remarkable fighter for working people, but he was also passionate about protecting the health and safety of the public, which he never got any credit for.

"He was a funny, witty, interesting man, and the union movement - in fact the whole country - will be a duller place without him."

RMT president Peter Pinkney said: "Bob's death leaves a massive gap in the lives of everyone who was fortunate enough to know him and represents a huge loss to the trade union and labour movement both in this country and internationally, and specifically, for the RMT members Bob led with such stunning success."

The funeral service was private, at the request of Mr Crow's family.

Tributes to Mr Crow will also be paid on May Day, with a special event being planned in London.

Left wing groups also turned out to pay their respects, including the Socialist Party and National Shop Stewards Network, as well as groups within unions representing gay and lesbian workers.

Pictures of Mr Crow were displayed on some banners, including one of him wearing a trademark RMT baseball hall and t-shirt.

RMT members travelled from across the UK to attend, many carrying small posters bearing the message: "Bob Crow, our leader, our legend, farewell comrade."

Others threw roses at the hearse as it passed by, or started cheering and applauding.

Bob Crow Funeral

Bob Crow Funeral(01 of20)

The funeral procession of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow makes its way through large crowds as it arrives at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(02 of20)

The funeral procession of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow makes its way through large crowds as it arrives at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow funeral(03 of20)

The funeral procession of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow makes its way through large crowds as it arrives at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(04 of20)

The funeral procession of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow makes its way through large crowds as it arrives at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(05 of20)

The funeral procession of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow makes its way through large crowds as it arrives at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow funeral(06 of20)

The funeral procession of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow makes its way through large crowds as it arrives at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow funeral(07 of20)

Crowds watch as the funeral procession of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow makes its way to the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(08 of20)

Flowers outside a funeral directors in Woodford Green in Essex, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(09 of20)

A trade union member outside the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(10 of20)

Trade union members outside the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(11 of20)

RETRANSMITTED WITH CORRECT ORIENTATIONA trade union member outside the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(12 of20)

Flowers outside a funeral directors in Woodford Green in Essex, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52. (credit:PA)

(13 of20)

Trade union members outside the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52.

(14 of20)

Trade union members outside the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52.

(15 of20)

Trade union members outside the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52.

Bob Crow Funeral(16 of20)

Flowers outside a funeral directors in Woodford Green in Essex, for the funeral of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow, who died earlier this month at the age of 52. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow funeral(17 of20)

Crowds watch as the funeral procession of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow makes its way to the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(18 of20)

Crowds applaud as the funeral procession of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow makes its way to the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(19 of20)

The funeral procession of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow makes its way through large crowds as it arrives at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London. (credit:PA)

Bob Crow Funeral(20 of20)

Crowds applaud as the funeral procession of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Bob Crow makes its way to the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, London. (credit:PA)

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