Plessey worker Eddie Allen was a devoted family man who first met Margaret, his wife-to-be, when she was only 11.

Romance blossomed when they met again at a Beethoven concert in the Royal Albert Hall ten years later.

The couple, who moved to the Gough Cooper estate in Wootton Bassett 48 years ago, were married for 56 years.

Their two sons were born in 1958 and 1960 and they also had two loving daughters-in-law, four grandsons and a granddaughter.

Mr Allen, 80, worked for 30 years as an engineering representative for Plessey. He later joined a firm at South Marston until his retirement at the age of 68.

He was an officer in St John Ambulance, but his job, which involved much travelling, limited the amount of time he could spend in voluntary work.

The large congregation at a thanksgiving service for his life at St Bartholomew’s Church, Wootton Bassett, reflected the high regard in which he was held by his family, friends and former colleagues.

Family friend Ian Taylor read a tribute composed by his sons David and Peter one of his grandsons, Stephen read a Psalm.

Mr Allen was remembered as a kind, caring, energetic man who was always smartly dressed, and was a true gentleman.

He enjoyed his work, but relished spending more time with those he loved following retirement.

Mr Allen, whose full name was John Edmund Allen, was a keen researcher into family history, and had traced his ancestry back to the 16th century.

He also enjoyed philately.

As a young man, he contracted a chest infection after his home was bombed and was moved with others to stay in a draughty hall. After later collapsing on Charing Cross Station, he was diagnosed with TB and spent two years – including his 21st birthday – in a sanatorium.

Mr Allen had been an ATC cadet, but his wish to join the RAF was quashed by his poor health.

In recent times he often went to repatriations in Wootton Bassett High Street to honour servicemen and women who had been killed in action.

The service was followed by cremation at Kingsdown and refreshments at Church Croft.

Mr Allen, who died in his sleep, had recently enjoyed a holiday, revisiting family and friends.

Memorial donations for Help for Heroes may be sent to Maslin Funeral Service, 118a High Street, Wootton Bassett SN4 7AU.