A GREAT great grandfather from Darwen, who was made a freeman of the town for his service in the Second World War, has passed away.

Sidney Hindle, 92, was part of the Normandy Campaign and crossed the English Channel on 'D-Day plus one' on June 7, 1944.

He served throughout the campaign, from Juno Beach to the old Norman city of Caen, before returning home in 1944 to be placed on standby to deployment to Japan.

His war was ended when the two atom bombs were dropped on the country and the war was brought to a close.

Born in the Ewood area of Blackburn, Mr Hindle attended the now-defunct St Bartholomew's School and was a life-long supporter of Blackburn Rovers.

Following the outbreak of war he was called up for service and began training with the Royal Marine Commandos.

His training took him to several parts of the UK, through the marines training centre at Lympstone Devon to Hampshire, Scotland and Wales.

Grandson Stuart Darby said: "He was attached to the Canadian army in preparation for the Normandy campaign to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation.

"He spoke of the Canadians with great affection, describing them as fine soldiers and good blokes.

"Although during the war the Germans were his enemies, he always spoke of them with respect, particularly of their soldiering abilities.

"During the campaign, he lost some very dear friends and had several close calls himself, describing how one night he and his mate chose to sleep on a ship moored alongside his landing craft instead of their usual berth on the craft.

"That night there was an enemy air raid and the following morning they discovered their craft peppered with bomb fragments right in the spot where they usually slept."

He was demobbed in 1946 and returned home to Blackburn where he later married his wife Catherine and they had five children together.

He took on several jobs including a postman, an electricity worker and was also in the cotton industry at Darwen's India Mill.

In later life the couple separated but remained good friends.

Mr Darby said: "Following retirement Sid lived in Darwen and was a regular figure in the town, enjoying a drink at the local Catholic club or often sat on his favourite bench in the town centre smoking his ever present pipe.

"He was a friendly, gregarious figure with a comedic twinkle in his eye who liked to walk to the market in Darwen or catch the bus to the one in Bolton, usually following his favourite past time of placing a modest bet on the horse racing.

"He was active and sprightly virtually up until the time of his death and his memory remained sharp and vivid."

His funeral will take place at St Peter's Church in Darwen on Monday, January 11, from 2pm.