TRIBUTES were paid today to a war veteran who served his community for half a century.Sid Knight and his wife Win, who died last year, were affectionately known as Mr and Mrs Walton for the voluntary work they did in the north area of Felixstowe over the decades.

TRIBUTES were paid today to a war veteran who served his community for half a century.

Sid Knight and his wife Win, who died last year, were affectionately known as Mr and Mrs Walton for the voluntary work they did in the north area of Felixstowe over the decades.

Working together, they were the driving force behind the Walton Community Association which they founded in 1974, and he was chairman for 23 years and she was treasurer for the same time.

Both served as councillors, helped set up a Scout headquarters and the county's first purpose-built youth club, worked with elderly and housebound people, and helped the disabled.

Mr Knight, 87, who died last week, was a former chairman of the old Felixstowe Urban District Council - after reorganisation of local government, his wife was mayor of the town.

Walton councillor Mike Deacon today described Mr Knight as a stalwart of the community and said his legacy would be felt for many years to come.

“He was a pillar of the establishment and so well-known throughout the area for his work in the community - he and his wife were Mr and Mrs Walton,” said Mr Deacon.

“So much of what we have in Walton today was down to their hard work many years ago. Sid was very well respected and he will be sadly missed.”

Mr and Mrs Knight met as teenagers in Deptford, London, and married there at St Luke's Church in 1939, and soon afterward he was conscripted and posted with the Rotal Artillery to North Africa with the 8th Army.

Recently, he returned to Egypt to see where he fought at El Alamein as part of the government's Heroes Return initiative.

After he was demobbed he returned to his trade as an engineer. The couple moved to Seaton Road, Felixstowe, in 1950 with their two sons Leslie and Michael. Mr Knight worked for Cranes at Ipswich, while his wife was a secretary with Fisons fertiliser company.

Mr Knight, who served as a town and county councillor, was also involved in swimming classes for the disabled, worked for meals on wheels for many years, and with his wife ran a senior citizens' club.

As well as two sons, he leaves four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 10am at St Mary's Church, Walton, Felixstowe, on December 23, followed by private cremation.

What do you remember about Sid and Win Knight - pay your tribute. Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk