Second World War hero dies aged 94

A Second World War veteran who was adopted by pupils at a Walsall school has died, aged 94.

Royal Engineer Fred Jenkins was presented with new war medals at a ceremony held at The Radleys School in Rushall four years ago, after his original decorations went missing decades earlier.

Following the presentation in 2008 he was able to attend his first Remembrance Day service for 30 years and laid a wreath at Pelsall War Memorial after governors at the school, of which he was a neighbour, made arrangements for him to attend.

Mr Jenkins, who served with the Royal Engineers in India, Italy and Africa, was devastated when his war medals went missing in the 1970s when he moved house.

Tributes have poured in for the grandfather-of-four and great-grandfather-of-three, who passed away at Walsall Manor Hospital on February 5.

Friend and school governor Philip Evans said the veteran, of Kings Road, would be given a funeral with military honours. His coffin will be draped with the Union Flag and his beret.

Bugler Roy Painter, of the Staffordshire Regimental Association, will play The Last Post.

Mr Evans said: "I have known Fred for five years and in that time he has laid a wreath at Pelsall cenotaph every year. He has opened shops in the village and appeared at Pelsall Carnival.

"He once told me it was the happiest day of his life when I helped to organise for him to get new medals."

The funeral will be on Friday. Standard bearers will gather outside his time before 10.30am.

The service will follow at Streetly Crematorium at 11am. A wake will be at The Farmers Boy Pub, in Barns Lane, Rushall.