Tributes to former RAF gunner

TRIBUTES were today paid to a former RAF air gunner and long serving member of the Royal British Legion.

John Fenn, 82, of Ashdown Way, suffered complications after a major heart operation and died in Papworth Hospital.

His wife Yvonne, 76, said he will be best remembered for his commitment to the British Legion and his time in the RAF.

She said: “He did 37 years service in the air force.

“He was an air gunner in the last world war and cheated death on several occasions I think.”

The couple travelled a lot during his time in the air force and spent three years in Norway.

They settled Ipswich in 1979 .

After he retired from the forces Mr Fenn took up a post at the Job Centre, then in Lloyds Avenue.

Mrs Fenn said: “He went there looking for a job and they ended up saying to him 'why don't you work here?'

“He stayed there for ten years.”

Throughout his time in Ipswich Mr Fenn was a standard bearer for the Air Gunner's Association.

Mrs Fenn said: “He would be there at all the different occasions, from Remembrance services to Grafton visits.

“He loved it.”

Peter Thompson, chairman of the Ipswich branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “He was taken ill while he carried a flag at a Remembrance Day event at the Ipswich football ground on November 5.

“He never really recovered from that but he wanted to attend on the day very much and had carried the flag for more than 20 years.

“He was a keen supporter of the Poppy Appeal and was a very loyal and proud man.

“He will sadly be missed by all at the legion.”

Mr Fenn, who died last Tuesday , was a keen golfer, gardener and swimmer, swimming half a mile every morning until he became ill in November.

He leaves behind two children, Stephen and Annette, and two grandchildren Rachel, 19, and Jack, 17.

N If you knew Mr Fenn and would like to pay tribute to him, write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk