Bill Lee, who has edited the T&A Ex-Service Notes column for the last 15 years, is retiring to Bridlington.

Bradford-born Mr Lee, 72, who was educated at St William’s Academy for young gentlefolk, served in the Navy for 11 years from 1955, visiting Suez, Cyprus, Aden, East Africa, Arabian Peninsular, Northern Ireland, Malaya and Borneo.

He also worked in engineering at Bradford International Harvesters and Mintex, had a spell in the Merchant Navy and was butler to Princess Anne, The Princess Royal.

He said: ‘‘I have enjoyed editing the column for the last 15 years and have met lots of wonderful people.

‘‘I would like to thank everyone for their help and good wishes and if I have helped you in any way, then that’s what life is all about – splice the mainbrace! We will still be visiting Bradford to see our 16 grandchildren.’’ T&A editor Perry Austin-Clarke said: ‘‘Bill has done a brilliant job of keeping our readers in touch with ex-servicemen and women across the district and we’ll be sorry to see him go.

"I’d like to thank him for all his hard work and we wish him all the best for a long and healthy ‘retirement’.’’ Mr Lee will be succeeded by Craig Mitchell, the Remembrance Sunday parade marshal, a captain in the Royal Engineers Territorials.