A Keighley man who was decorated for his courage during the Second World War has died at the age of 92.

Former Royal Air Force flight engineer Matthew Holliday, who lived in Westburn Crescent, died last month.

He was born in Durham in 1921 but had lived locally since he was a teenager.

He joined the RAF at the start of the war in 1939. He was a member of 10 Squadron and 77 Squadron, and completed 52 combat missions.

While on a bombing raid against the heavily defended German city of Dusseldorf, his Halifax aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters.

After taking evasive action, Mr Holliday and the rest of his crew were separated from the other RAF bombers. However, they pressed on and were able to attack their target.

All the aircraft’s crew members were decorated, and Mr Holliday was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross.

His daughter, Diane Petherick, said: “The war was a big part of his life, it had a major impact on him.

“He was a lovely man. He was full of fun, cheeky and had a brilliant sense of humour, which was why so many people loved him.

“He never had a bad word to say about anyone – he was a true gent really.”

Mr Holliday worked in engineering at Salts Mill and Keighley Laboratories. For the last 20 years of his working life he was a primary school teacher at Glusburn School, and was deputy head at the time of his retirement.