A FORMER President of Trowbridge Bowls Club and chairman of the White Ensign Association's Trowbridge branch has died at his home in Trowbridge.

William (Bill) Griffin died on August 17 aged 96 after a short illness.

Bill was a long-standing and active member of the White Ensign Association, a charity that provides personal help and advice for all serving and former members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and their families.

He was also a director of the White Ensign Club on Wiltshire Drive from its inception until it closed in the 1990s. He was present when the club was opened by HRH Princess Anne and always present for events and fundraisers.

Born in 1923 the youngest of three children, Mr Griffin had two sisters Doreen and Joan who both lived to ages 98 and 85 respectively.

He lived in West Street with his parents Herbert and Emma Griffin and his sisters until he joined the Royal Marines in 1942 at the age of 19.

Mr Griffin completed his Royal Marines training in Scotland and at Lympstone, in East Devon, before being sent to Germany with his unit in the latter stages of the war to clear the remaining resistance.

He was married twice, with both wives, Alice and Frieda, being born in Germany. He had no children, just nephews and nieces.

He married his first wife, Alice, when stationed in Germany and she was always made welcome when brought back to UK.

Mr Griffin was stationed at Minden in Germany until 1954 when he was demobbed and later said his biggest regret in life was leaving the Royal Marines.

One of his great-nephews, Jason Rose said: "Bill was always very proud of his time in the Royal Marines and always marched with colleagues through Trowbridge on Armistice and Armed Forces Day. He always tried to visit the Royal Navy Day in Portsmouth."

Mr Griffin was also an active member of the Trowbridge Leer Twinning Association, often visiting Leer in Germany with his wife and other members.

Mr Griffin was President of Trowbridge Bowls Club for a number of years until ill health prevented both him and Frieda from playing.

After leaving the Royal Marines as a Corporal, Mr Griffin worked for Vickers medical business and then WeighData Ltd in Trowbridge, which was originally involved in weighing machines supplying everything from microbalances to two tonne platform scales. The company is now called Harford Control Ltd.

Mr Griffin's funeral will be held on Thursday, September 3 at 3.15pm at the West Wiltshire Crematorium at Semington. Under the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, only 30 mourners are allowed to attend.