Patrick Connor

Trowbridge man Patrick Connor died last week aged 92.

Graham Payne, who knew Patrick for 45 years, has described him as a “lovely, generous man who always had a conscience for those less well off than himself or who were suffering.”

“I met Patrick through the Trowbridge and District White Ensign,” Graham said. “He was the Ensign’s longest serving member and had been a member since 1943 – he was very well respected in the organisation. He was in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, when he served on hospital ships as what would now be a medical assistant, receiving casualties from Arctic and Atlantic convoys.

“Patrick was born in Trowbridge and lived in the area for his whole life. He worked in the drapery department at Knees for around 20 years, and had been a salesman before that. "His father used to run a youth bugle band in the town, which is where Patrick got his love for music. He was a wonderful keyboard and accordion player, and he used to entertain his shipmates and later us at the Ensign with his music.

“After the death of his wife, Evelyn, Patrick devoted his time to playing music at old folks’ homes and tea dances, and donated every penny he made to Dorothy House, where Evelyn had been cared for before she died. Over about 11 years he raised £18,000 for Dorothy House, which was quite spectacular.”

Patrick was awarded a Trowbridge Civic Award by former mayor Glyn Bridges in 2015 for his fundraising and his volunteer work around the town.

Mr Bridges said at the time: “He is someone who carries on and entertains people and he is a lovely guy who has done a lot for the town.”

Patrick’s funeral will be held at West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington at 11.30am on Wednesday, July 12.