A well-known Weymouth figure and proud military man has died at the age of 89.

Clifford ‘Cliff’ Billen was well-known in Weymouth and was often seen walking through the town in his military uniform, white gloves with his pace stick under his arm.

Mr Billen was born on April 22, 1922 in Birmingham. His father was from Weymouth and tried to get a post as a railway policeman back in the town, but the closest he managed was a post in Bristol where Mr Billen grew up.

He enlisted in the army reserves in May 1939 and was called up for regular service at the outbreak of war.

Before D-Day he served as an instructor at Lulworth camp in the 50th Royal Tank Regiment. While visiting family in Weymouth he met his future wife Dorrie. The couple married in April, 1943 and were married for 56 years.

As a 19-year-old tank commander he landed on the D-Day beaches at Courseulles-sur-Mer, where British Forces were supporting the Canadians.

He witnessed the German concentration camp of Belsen soon after its liberation. Later Mr Billen served in the Intelligence Corps, where among other things, he acted as prisoner escort at Neurenburg.

For a couple of years after they were married, Cliff and Dorrie lived in Lanehouse, Weymouth but then moved to Broadwey where they lived for the rest of their lives.

Mr Billen had a variety of different jobs throughout his life including working in Dorchester market, selling insurance and working in a clerical capacity for various agricultural suppliers.

The couple had a son, Brian, who they were very proud of and was the first from the family to attend university. However he was tragically lost at sea while sailing some 25 years ago.

The couple continued to be devoted grandparents to their grandson David.

After retirement Mr Billen volunteered for many years as a prison visitor at the Verne. He will perhaps be best remembered for his work with the Royal British Legion where he was a parade marshal and publicity officer.

He enjoyed singing throughout his life and sang in many church choirs and in the week before his death was still singing karaoke regularly in the pubs of Weymouth.

His funeral will be held on Friday, June 10, at 12.15pm at Weymouth Crematorium.