David Jessett, who was a member of the Devizes Lions Club for more than 40 years, died at home on June 10 after a short illness.

He lives behind wife of 66 years Hazel, children Barbara and Michael and three grandchildren Robert, Rachel and Amy.

Mr Jessett was born in Devizes on November 20, 1920, as an only child.

He attended St Peter’s School and then Devizes Grammar School before joining the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry in 1939.

He served in the Middle East and North Africa before being taken prisoner at El Alamein in Egypt for two-and-a-half years.

On being released he met future wife Hazel at a dance in Southfields, County Durham. The couple married in 1949.

Mr Jessett qualified as an environmental health officer in 1951 and spent four years working in London before returning to Devizes to work on the Devizes Rural District Council and then Kennet District Council.

In his retirement he enjoyed visiting stately homes and going on walks with Mrs Jessett. He always took great pride in his house in Queens Road, having built it virtually from scratch in the 1950s.

Mr Jessett was also a member of the Devizes Lions Club for 44 years as well as the Twinning Association and went on many trips to France representing the town.

Daughter Barbara George said: “Mum and dad had many friends in Devizes. Dad had a great warmth and sense of humour, and often quietly helped other people.”

The funeral service will take place at the West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington, on Tuesday at 3.15pm.

Family flowers only, but donations, if desired, to the Devizes Lions Club.