A WAR veteran from Alresford has died just weeks after his role in World War Two was officially recognised.

Leslie Pavey, 89, was presented with a Bomber Command Clasp on his birthday in August by RAF Squadron Leader Dean Gibson.

It followed years of campaigning by veterans until the Government announced in February that the Bomber Command Clasp would be presented to aircrew in recognition of their service and bravery.

Mr Pavey died at Villa Maria nursing home in Croydon on October 1.

His funeral was on October 22 at Beckenham Crematorium, with an RAF trumpeter sounding the Last Post.

His niece, Ms June Thorpe, said her uncle was a gentleman and that the clasp had “made him smile.”