Atworth man Gerald Hubert Fletcher died peacefully on Sunday at the age of 87.

Mr Fletcher was born in Chelsea in 1926, the youngest son in a family of eight brothers and sisters.

He grew up in Fulham and after leaving school worked for a brief time in an office before becoming a steel erector, due to the prospect of better pay.

He joined the Royal Artillery to complete his National Service and was posted to Palestine, returning to steel erecting following his discharge.

In 1947 he was staying in Melksham to do some work at the Avon factory, and met his future wife Audrey Hallett, from Atworth, at a Saturday-night dance at Melksham House.

The couple were married at St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Atworth on May 12, 1951.

They lived in Fulham until 1959, then returned to Atworth shortly after the birth of their daughter Susan, living in a bungalow built on land belonging to Mrs Fletcher’s father where they lived ever since.

Later in his career Mr Fletcher became a civil engineer and worked in Holland for a short period at a petrochemical plant.

He worked for several local companies, eventually retiring from C.O.B. Construction, which was responsible for several local projectsm, including the ford at Lacock.

A loving family man, he enjoyed spending time with his two grandchildren.

He was a member of the Corsham Royal British Legion and the Melksham Masons and enjoyed ballroom dancing, playing the electric organ, crosswords and gardening.

After his retirement Mr and Mrs Fletcher enjoyed taking holidays and seeing new places.

Grandson Chris Melvin said: “He had a great sense of humour and was always smiling and making his little jokes. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and we will all miss him terribly.”

His funeral will be held at the West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington, on Friday, November 29 at 1.45pm.

Family flowers only, donations in his memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society care of DJ Bewley Funeral Directors, Bank Street, Melksham.