Baronet Sir Charles McLeod, who became a well-known and well-loved character in the Malmesbury area, has died at the age of 88.

He was born in 1924, the younger of two sons. Having initially been considered 'stupid', he was discovered at the age of four to be deaf. He was taught lip reading and supplied with an ear trumpet.

He was educated at Abberley Hall prep school and Winchester College, where he excelled at sport which earned him many friends.

His elder brother, Roderick, was killed at Salerno in Italy during World War Two and Sir Charles inherited the baronetcy. He was excused National Service due to his deafness, instead recruited into brewing beer for the troops and he became a master brewer.

Sir Charles moved to Lea near Malmesbury after his wife, Gillian, died in 1978. He had grown up in Wiltshire, near Salisbury, and when seeking somewhere new to live he chose to return to this familiar county.

Initially, Sir Charles continued to work as a stockbroker in London but once he had retired, he became more of a familiar local character.

He had developed Type 1 diabetes at the age of 40 and, due to the erratic nature of this illness and his management of it and then driving into a tree (no-one was hurt fortunately), his driving days ended abruptly.

Sir Charles had always been athletic and once the car was no longer an option, his enjoyment of walking moved to another level.

He would walk extensively and be seen everywhere, sometimes feigning difficulty, such as clinging onto a lamp post in high winds, in the hope of an offer of a lift, to which many kind people responded.

The diabetes took its toll on Sir Charles’s health and he moved to Burnham House residential home in early 2000.

Whilst there (and possibly before) much time was spent visiting local tradespeople who were endlessly patient with him, somehow fitting in both their work and chat simultaneously.

The local library staff were a fount of wisdom when it came to the many and varied questions he would pose to them, often related to crossword questions.

The relationships that were built up during these outings were hugely enjoyable and important to him and he even had saucy nicknames for some of those he visited. Living in Burnham House was a forced and unwelcome change for Sir Charles and these outings made life a great deal more fun and interesting.

Over time, though, it was the people of Malmesbury, Lea, his many friends and those who cared for him at Burnham and Athelstan house who made his life worthwhile. His family has thanked those responsible for the kindness and love shown to him by his carers in his latter days.

He is survived by three children, Belinda, Nicola and James, and three grandchildren.

A memorial service for him will take place at Malmesbury Abbey at 3pm on Saturday, June 22.