THE funeral of well-known and respected member of the Tavistock community and chairman of the local branch of the Royal Marines' Association, David McDowell BEM, takes place today (Thursday) in Tavistock Parish Church. The Tavistock RMA members will be on parade at the church at 10.30am for the funeral of its former chairman, who died on April 28 last week. The branch has offered condolences to David's wife Jenny McDowell, their children and grandchilren. Many of David's former Royal Marine colleagues and serving Royal Marines will be attending, along with friends from near and far.