Former Westinghouse employee John Ernest Hillman died at the age of 86 on May 20 in Avon Court Nursing Home in Chippenham.

Mr Hillman, who lived most of his married life in Dickens Avenue, Corsham, was known by friends and family as Jack.

He was born in Clutton, near Radstock to Ernest and Bessie Hillman on March 31 1923. He joined the Royal Air Force in1942 where he trained to be a wireless operator.

After initial training he was seconded to the Royal Navy and spent the majority of his active service on board Fighter Direction Tender No13.

His ship was involved in the D-Day Normandy landings.

He came to Wiltshire when the war ended to work at Boscombe Down. He later worked for Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company, in Chippenham.

He married Olive Joan Brimble in 1947, and they had two sons, Nigel and Richard and a daughter, Rachel.

He retired from Westinghouse in 1985, his final position being apprentice training administration officer.