Tributes paid as Second World War veteran and RAF fundraiser dies aged 91

Douglas Williams, who had been writing his memoirs, was a former regional president, lifetime vice-president and founder member of the Cannock Chase branch of the Royal Air Forces Association.

He gave up the comparative security of a reserved occupation in 1942 to join the RAF as a leading aircraftsman flight mechanic - but not without a fight.

As a 16-year-old sergeant in the local Air Training Corps squadron he was inspired by the spirit of pilots fighting the Battle of Britain and determined to join the RAF as soon as he was old enough.

He became an aircraft worker following an apprenticeship at Boulton Paul, Wolverhampton, as a way of improving his RAF prospects, believing that working as a riveter on Defiant aircraft at Wolverhampton and repairing the wings of Hurricane aeroplanes at the shadow factory in Wallows Lane, Walsall, would guarantee acceptance when it came to enlisting.

But he miscalculated the value of his job to the war effort and it was only after a battle lasting several months and the intervention of his boss that the authorities relented and allowed him to enlist.

His memoirs show he was known as 'Duke Sahib' during his three-year service in India.

After the war Mr Williams attended the inaugural meeting of the RAFA branch in Cannock in August 1946.

For many years he masterminded the local Wings Week appeal, with the whole of his family involved collecting, opening tins and counting donations.

Paying tribute, fellow branch member Laurence McGowan said: "Doug was driven by having observed first-hand the need for a welfare organisation supporting former comrades and their families on return to civilian life.

"His active concern for the lads continued into his late 80s when he was responsible for sending almost 100 parcels of goodies to squadrons in Afghanistan."

Mr Williams' granddaughter Rebecca Cartwright said: "Granddad was very proud of his time in the RAF and the people he served with.

"He was looking forward to the ceremonies that will mark the 75th anniversaries of the battle of Britain later this year."

The widower, who lived in Gorsey Lane, Cannock, is survived by a daughter, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The branch standard will be carried in front of his flag-draped coffin which will be escorted by an honour guard of fellow veterans at his funeral at St Saviour's church, Hatherton.