Well-known Devizes toy shop owner Stephen Hughes has died at the age of 93.

Mr Hughes, who had been living in Southfield care home in Victoria Road, Devizes, since last December, died at Great Western Hospital, Swindon, on November 9.

Most of Mr Hughes’s childhood was spent in High Wycombe, where he attended The Royal Grammar School and passed his school certificate with credits.

This was followed by college courses in business and commerce from which he gained an Honours Certificate in UEI.

He served in the RAF in the Second World War as a pilot, including a spell as a test pilot in Canada.

During this time he reached the rank of senior flight commander and deputy squadron commander and as a result of his war service was awarded the Air Force Cross in the Birthday Honours List of 1946. He was very proud of this but always modest.

After the war he worked in sales and management roles and while working for Whyte Ridsdale Toy Wholesalers he discovered Willis’ of Devizes, a toy shop in Maryport Street, and moved to Devizes to take over this business.

He ran the toy shop from 1951 until retiring in 1985. It was an Aladdin’s Cave to all the local children in those days.

During this time he became a firm friend of Tony Duck who ran his newsagent shop opposite in Maryport Street and he remained a loyal friend.

Mr Hughes also met his wife Joan through the shop, as she worked there, and married her in 1969, inheriting a ready made family of two daughters and subsequently two granddaughters, all of whom he adored.

He has had 45 very happy years of family life and an amazing and well-travelled retirement.

When he sold his business he made it a condition that it was to remain as an independent toy shop. It is now called Devizes Toys and before that was Hoggosaurus.

Mr Hughes was always involved in local and national organisations. He was an active member of Devizes Amateur Dramatic Society in the 1950s and 1960s and High Constable to the mayors, Mrs E Proudman and Mrs Pat Rugg.

He was a founder member of Devizes Rotary Club and was president in 1968/69. He was national chairman of the Toy Retailers Association for three years and president for four. In 1988/89 he was Toy Trade Personality of the Year.

Locally, he served as chairman of Probus Club, the Crown Centre and was on the committee of Dorothy House Hospice. He was also a keen supporter of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club.

Above all he was a true gentleman, loved by all who met him. He treated everyone with kindness and respect and will be sadly missed by all his friends and family who loved him dearly.

A thanksgiving service for his life will be held at St Johns Church, Devizes, on Thursday November 28 at 2.30pm followed by a reception at The Bear Hotel.

His family have asked for donations in his memory to go to Dorothy House Hospice and the Crown Centre c/o John Stuart funeral directors.