TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the driving forces behind the refurbishment of Charlestown Victory Hall.

Dudley Paine was born in Norwood, London, on October 11, 1929, and spent the Second World War partly in London but mostly in Weymouth. He was an able seaman in the Royal Navy.

Mr Paine had an active and varied life, at one point he went to Australia for several months to try prospecting for gold.

Friends said he had a wonderful sense of humour and when working as a bus conductor would dress up as characters from On the Buses.

During his life he also worked as a driving instructor and chef.

In his spare time Mr Paine enjoyed sea fishing and metal detecting for pleasure.

In his retirement he was always volunteering to help others and became the handyman for the Charlestown Victory Hall as well as vice-chairman of the committee that looked after it.

Friend Marion Hardcastle remembered him fondly. She said: “He worked hard to get the hall refurbished and back for the community to use. Dudley was just so wonderful.”

She added: “He just got on and did stuff for the hall. He worked quietly making sure everything was done. It became his life in the last few years.”

Mr Paine was married twice and had two children Tracey and Stephen with his first wife. He married his second wife Betty in 1980.

The couple often visited Australia where Mr Paine’s mother and sister lived.

Mrs Paine said her husband was a ‘really good person’.

She added: “He was a nice fellow and so willing to do anything for anybody.

“He helped everyone, even though he was unwell in the last couple of years.

“He couldn’t sit still and had to do little jobs. I couldn’t have wished for anyone better. I miss him.”

She added: “He would do anything for anyone and was well liked.”