Allan Frederick Benson, 75, of Royal Wootton Bassett, was known as Fred to his family and friends. He worked at the former Blanch-Lely factory in Whitehill Lane before moving to the Unigate Dairy in Station Road, as an engineer. Fred was born in Twickenham, during the Second World War, and never knew his father, who died at the Battle of Salerno in 1943.

His mother remarried and they moved to Rochdale where Fred made friends and enjoyed potholing and rugby, which he played for the local club. His first marriage, to Margaret, with whom he had two daughters, sadly ended and Fred joined the Merchant Navy and travelled the world for three years.

Then he returned from sea, settled in Wiltshire and in 1976 married Jennifer, who had three daughters. She and Fred subsequently had a daughter and a son, bringing their combined family to seven. Fred relished family life and enjoyed his home in Wootton Bassett.

He was a skilled craftsman who made beautiful rugs, with patterns that ranged from medieval designs to those derived from American Indian traditions, using a technique known as Portugese three-legged crossstitch, and sourcing his wool from Wilton and Axminster factory shops. In the past five years, his activity was limited by strokes, but he loved history, especially the American Civil War, and documentaries and sport on television.

He is sadly missed by his family, including nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Cremation took place at Kingsdown in Swindon on July 19.