Keighley Royal British Leg-ion stalwart Jim Laurie died on Boxing Day aged 78.

Mr Laurie, pictured below - of Spring Rise, Long Lee - was one of six members of the Legion to establish its base at Boothy's Social Club, in Low Mill Lane, in 1989. With the help of his colleagues, the Legion's membership grew to around 60 within ten years.

He will also be remembered for his unwavering support for the Poppy Appeal and was the poppy organiser of Keighley's Remembrance Sunday for many years.

Wilfred Booth, president of the Royal British Legion branch in Keighley, says: "Jim would always go and visit people and went out of his way to help them. He got involved with everything. He was a very well respected man."

Through the Legion, Jim took a special interest in war pensions and was a member of the Fleet Air Arms Association. He was also a member of the Royal Navy Association for 25 years and became secretary of it.

Born in Glasgow in 1920, Jim stayed in his home city until he was old enough to join the RAF as an engine fitter. During the war he also worked for the Fleet Air Arm. Jim was later discharged after the war had ended.

He then joined a Glasgow firm as an office boy and gradually worked his way up to become a mechanic. In 1947 he was transferred to London as an area service engineer and stayed in the capital until 1967 when the firm went bust. The firm was then taken over by a Keighley company - Frank Watsons - and Jim was moved to Keighley to work, again as an area service engineer.

Jim was finally made redundant in the late 1970s, after which he joined a number of associations.

His son John, who is an officer in the RAF, says: "I think my father will be best remembered for his poppy work but I will also remember him as a firm but loving father."

Jim leaves behind three sons - John, Gavin and Peter - and one sister, Margaret, who lives in Glasgow.

He has five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

The funeral will take place today at 11.15am at St Andrew's Shared Parish Church. Tea and a buffet will be served at Boothy's Social Club afterwards.

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