A TEST pilot who crashed into Poole Harbour during The Second World War has died in Australia aged 86.

Michael de Lancey Wilson was well-known in Blandford where he worked as a solicitor and as clerk to the justices for many years.

He joined the Royal Air Force, testing many British and US aircraft before his Mustang dropped out of the sky - probably due to metal fatigue - in 1944.

Rescued by the Royal Navy "on the end of a boat hook", as he put it, Michael lost an eye and went into a coma, spending months in hospital during his wife May's pregnancy with their second child, Jill.

He never flew again but joined Traill, Castleman-Smith and Wilson, the Blandford firm which his father had co-founded.

Educated at Stowe and Oriel College, Oxford, Michael practised until he retired about a year after May's death in 1972.

On a world cruise he met an Australian widow, Maisie, and they married - dividing their time between Sydney and a flat in Salisbury.

By the time Michael died after a short illness in August, they had both enjoyed two 30-year marriages.

His son, Peter, visited Michael in Australia shortly before he died and was able to show him a scan of his first great-grandchild, due to be born to Peter's daughter, Juliet, in December.

Peter said: "He was loved and respected by everybody who knew him. I remember growing up in Blandford, my father was someone in that town. I was immensely proud of him and have been so ever since.

"Although his death wasn't a huge surprise he will be very, very sadly missed."

David McCreath, who replaced Michael at what is now Traill and Company, said: "He was considered one of the best advocates in the area. He was very good on his feet."

Michael was cremated in Australia but his ashes will be buried with May at Pimperne Church at 6pm on Friday - and those who knew Michael are welcome to attend.

Sadly, Jill died in an accident when her children were small, but five grandchildren survive Michael as well as Maisie and Peter.

First published: September 16