TRIBUTES have been paid to a 92-year-old war veteran and former Bridport solicitor who survived Dunkirk and died at the age of 92.

Alban Wylde, who lived in Beaminster and more recently Bridport, worked for the firm of Nantes, Maunsell and Howard – now known just as Nantes – in East Street.

He held the positions of principal, partner and consultant from 1948 onwards and still held a practising certificate at the time of his death.

His son John said in his funeral address on behalf of the family that Mr Wylde was characterised by warmth of spirit, generosity, loyalty, duty and humour although he could be impatient and impetuous.

He said: “He was interesting, demanding, affectionate and sometimes emotional, sometimes charming but always a fascinating man.

“He was a devoted, loving, and loyal husband, lawyer, fond but sometimes forbidding father, grandfather and great-grandfather and patron of the arts.

“He was a gifted craftsman, accomplished gardener, connoisseur and collector.

Mr Wylde added: “He had a full and fulfilled life for which we should all be thankful.

“He will be sorely missed in Bridport.”

Mr Wylde served in the Royal Artillery during the Second World War and rose to the rank of major.

He served in France and was evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940.

He later fought in Sicily and Italy.

Mr Wylde also served in Austria, Palestine and Africa before leaving the Army after the end of the war.

He then qualified as a solicitor and started work in Bridport in 1948.

He was taken on by the principal Car Thomas at Nantes Maunsell and Howard before succeeding him in the mid-1950s.

Mr Wylde married Molly in 1948, who died in 1987.

He later married Nora Palmer in 1989, who survives him in a nursing home near Dorchester.

Among those attending his funeral at St Catherine’s Catholic church in Victoria Grove, Bridport, were his son, daughters, grandchildren, half brother, step children and their families.

Son John said thanks to Wakely’s funeral directors in his funeral address.