Spitfire pilot dies aged 90

A Second World War Spitfire pilot and well known former school teacher has died at the age of 90 after being diagnosed with cancer.

Joseph Douglass, former deputy headteacher at Ocker Hill Junior School and once an RAF pilot, was a well known character in the Tipton area. His daughter Jean Whitehouse, of Dene Avenue, Kingswinford, said: "Wherever he would go in the area people would remember him from their school days."

Widower Mr Douglass also spent part of his teaching career at Princes End School in Tipton, his home town.

He retired 25 years ago but continued to work in the community recording talking books for the blind and as a dedicated member of SSAFA, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.

Mr Douglass, formerly of Arthur Road, Tipton, died last Thursday after being diagnosed with bowel cancer just days before. He leaves six children, five daughters and a son, as well as grandchildren and great grand children.

Daughter Mrs Whitehouse said her father, who was a sergeant in RAF Bomber Command, never spoke in detail about the war.

"The only thing he ever talked about was serving during the war in Jerusalem," she said.

"He used to fly Spitfires and Hurricanes."

He had been living at his daughter's home in Kingswinford for the last year. She added: "He was a compassionate and generous man."

Mr Douglass did a lot of work for the charity SSAFA.

His funeral will be held at St John's Church in Tipton on November 26 at 12.15pm. A 1pm service at the cemetery in Tipton will follow. Donations are to be made to Acorns Children's Hospice.