A WELLING war veteran who was awarded an OBE for his "tireless" work for the Royal British Legion has died aged 87.

William Tester, who was better known as Jack, served in the Parachute Regiment for the Royal Engineers during the Second World War and lived in Welling all his life.

A lifetime honorary member of the Bellegrove Social Club, he was actively involved in the Poppy Factory and could always be found selling poppies each Remembrance Day across Bexley.

His step-daughter Barbara Cochrane, 66, said: "He was a very kind and loving man; very generous and kind and supportive.

"It was interesting that when I spoke to some of the people in his address book, so many were saying how he was a ‘good man.’ I think that just sums it up."

Mr Tester, who lived in Northumberland Avenue, was presented with an OBE at Buckingham Palace in 2000 for his years of dedication to the Legion.

He was also handed a 30-year British Legion Award emblem in 2006.

Locally, his work included managing the Garden of Remembrance in Catford while he was also trust governor of the West Wickham and Welling war memorial trust.

Mrs Cochrane, who lives in New Cross, added: "He was also an active family member. He was a lot of fun.

"He is going to be sadly missed by a lot of people.

"He must have touched the lives of a lot of people in the area."

Mr Tester, who died on March 13 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, leaves two step-daughters, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His funeral is being held at 11.30am this morning at Eltham Crematorium.