Ex-boss of building firm dies aged 86

Tributes were today paid to George Sidebotham, who has been described by friends as "one of life's gentlemen".

A member of the Rotary Club of Wolverhampton for more than 30 years, Mr Sidebotham served as an RAF Lancaster pilot with 100 Squadron during the Second World War.

In 1944, his aircraft was shot down over Germany and he was taken prisoner at the Stalag Luft III prisoner of war camp, where he was held while the Great Escape was being plotted.

As the Allied stronghold grew, Mr Sidebotham was marched out of the camp and transferred to another. He was later freed. On his return to England, he joined family building firm Perks & Sidebotham in Compton, where he worked alongside his brother Donald.

The company was founded in 1923 and was responsible for building many exclusive homes in the Wightwick and Tettenhall areas.

Mr Sidebotham was an honorary life member of the Rotary Club and received a Paul Harris fellow award for exceptional service.

He served as president of the club in 1980 to 1981 and was district governor from 1987 to 1988.

Former president Jeremy Hobbs, who has been a member of the Rotary Club for 33 years, said today: "He was one of life's gentlemen.

"It can be a cliched phrase because everyone says it, but he really was. He was just a lovely guy." Friend David King, who joined the Rotary Club of Wolverhampton in 1995, said: "He was an extremely popular chap and was a very lovable guy as well."

Well-known for his oratory skills, the grandfather-of-eight was also a member of Wolverhampton Speakers Club.

Mr Sidebotham, who lived in Brewood but grew up in Penn Road, Wolverhampton, died at New Cross Hospital on October 8 after a battle with cancer.

He leaves a daughter Linda, aged 50, and sons Peter, 47, and Paul, 45. His wife Patricia died in 1992.

Mr Sidebotham's funeral will be held at St Mary's Catholic Church, Brewood, at 11.30am on Friday.