TRIBUTES have poured in for a war hero who died last week.

Ralph Buttle, Wellington's oldest surviving link with World War Two, has died of terminal lung cancer aged 93.

The former serviceman was drafted into the Royal Artillery in 1940, and fought in the famous D-Day battle in Normandy.

He has since been a permanent fixture at the town's memorial services.

Mr Buttle married his wife Sheila in 1949.

And she revealed how he left family letters before he passed away.

“He wrote a letter for each member of the family, presumably before he went in hospital,” she told the County Gazette.

“They were all in a big envelope but none of us had a clue that he'd written them.”

The pair lived in Churchfields, Wellington, before he died in the early hours of Friday at Musgrove Park Hospital.

He also leaves behind daughter Jane, son David and five grandsons.

Mrs Buttle added: “He was very particular about his paperwork and keeping busy.

"He would never be sitting around saying 'there's nothing to do today', he would always be keeping busy.

“He wouldn't be beaten, that shows what sort of a character he was.

“I'm not sure everybody will be able to fit in the ceremony!”

Ralph, or 'Ralphie' as he was affectionately known, had other interests in the town including Wellington Cricket Club.

And Wellington Mayor Andrew Govier says the town has lost an “admired” man.

He said: “Ralph was a real character in the town; people were very proud of his military background.

“It's really sad news that he has died.”

Mr Buttle's funeral takes place this Tuesday, December 20 at 1.30pm at Wellington Methodist Church, followed by a burial at Wellington Cemetery.