DEVIZES man Ron Topp has died, aged 79, after a short battle with a recently discovered brain tumour. Mr Topp, a Royal Navy veteran, was born in Devizes and was one of 13 children.

He went to St Joseph's School but at 12 when his father died he was sent to begin his military maritime training on The Stork, a training ship anchored on the River Thames at Hammersmith, London.

He was evacuated to Somerset upon the outbreak of the Second World War and worked in a butcher's shop, then WE Chivers in Devizes until he was old enough to volunteer to serve his country with the Royal Navy.

He saw action in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Pacific and Indian Ocean with spells in Burma and Italy and was decorated seven times.

He had two brothers in the Royal Navy. One was lost at sea while another surviving brother served in the Far East as a Chindit.

Mr Topp continued in the Navy for a couple of years after the war ended, landing troops in Indonesia six months after the first atom bomb was dropped. He also served on minesweepers.

Having met his future wife Gladys at the age of 15, they married in 1949 and had two children, Peter and Ann.

After his Navy service Mr Topp worked for Prudential Insurance, but is probably best remembered as the shop manager at Granada TV Rentals in Devizes Market Place where he worked for about ten years.

Living in Brickley Lane for over 45 years, his much enjoyed retirement started in 1987 when he got into his passion for gardening.

A gifted gardener, he produced delicious fruit and vegetables for all the family and was ever helpful in whatever way he could to friends and neighbours.

An active member of the LST and Landing Craft Association Mr Topp is survived by Gladys, their children, grandchildren Hannah and Mark and great grandchildren Charlie, Dana and George.

Mr Topp's funeral was held last Friday (February 24) at West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington.