TRIBUTES have been paid to a former military man and Colchester Town Serjeant who died after a battle with dementia.

John Turner died peacefully at Cleaveland Lodge Residential Home in Colchester at the age of 89.

He was born in Dorset before going to school in Shaftesbury.

His father Frederick Turner was a member of the armed forces and was posted to Jamaica after the end of the Second World War.

The family spent several years in the Caribbean before moving back to Colchester where Frederick was posted.

Following in his dad’s footsteps, John signed up with British Army and joined the Gloucestershire Regiment.

A talented double bass player, his real passion was classical music, and he trained at the Royal School of Music before becoming a bandsman for the regiment.

After his father died in 1952 whilst serving in Gibraltar, John’s mother, Martha, brother, David, and sisters, Jean and Rosemary, set up their permanent home in the town.

He eventually left the forces going on to work in hospitality, becoming manager of the town’s first Wimpy, and later spent more than a decade as a Town Serjeant with Colchester Council.

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His sister Rosemary Alford said: “He was a handsome man and he looked very good in his Serjeant uniform.

“He was proud of the job and he worked hard. He absolutely loved Colchester.”

Through his association with the council John was often involved in welcoming dignitaries to the town and met the Queen twice during his stint at the town hall. He also marched during her coronation whilst he was in the forces.

Mrs Alford said: “He was a private sort of person and he was not loud but people liked him.

“When we lost my father, he became the man of the household.

“John was a peacemaker. He was not argumentative and he was a nice pleasant person who was well-liked across the town.”

Colchester High Steward Sir Bob Russell, who was Colchester mayor during John’s time as Serjeant, said: “He was a really lovely man, and a fantastic Town Serjeant who undertook his duties with great diligence.

“He seemingly was never flustered. He was of considerable support and assistance to my wife and I when I was mayor of Colchester and my wife was mayoress. We shall always be grateful.”

John, who never married, lived with his mother in Wickham Road, Colchester, for many years before moving to Elfreda House.

At the time of his death he was suffering from dementia and living at Cleaveland Lodge Residential Home.

All are welcome at John Turner's funeral at Colchester Crematorium on Wednesday, November 13, from 12.30pm