A WAR veteran and well-known Blackburn character has died shortly after his 100th birthday.

Jack Fell, of Manxman Road, died on Monday in Royal Blackburn Hospital after developing an infection.

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Mr Fell, who was a builder by trade, moved into his home 66 years ago, when the estate was being built and had lived there ever since, retaining his independence until the final weeks of his life.

Mr Fell had a distinguished military career, joining the 17th-21st Lancers in 1934 and spending time serving in India.

At the start of his service each soldier in the regiment had a horse but they were phased out by 1938 and it became a tank regiment.

He saw service in the Second World War in North Africa and Italy before returning to Blackburn.

He later acted as site foreman on various building projects in the town, including the construction of parts of the Shadsworth estate. His wife of 60 years, Edna, died in 2005 and he is survived by daughter Valerie, son Neil, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren, who all knew him as ‘Grandpa Jack’.

Valerie, 61 said: “We’ve had dozens of messages from friends and neighbours on the estate saying what a grand fellow he was.

“We were lucky to have home around for so long and he was very active until the end and fiercely proud of his independence.

“He would go to reunions of the regiment every year in Blackpool although he outlived almost all of his comrades from the war.”

On October 14, Mr Fell was thrilled to receive a birthday card from the Queen as he turned 100.

Valerie said: “He was in hospital by then and too unwell to celebrate but we celebrated for him with a big party at a hotel in Blackpool.”

Earlier this year, Mr Fell fell victim to crime when he was tricked out of cash on his doorstep.

A 37-year-old woman from Blackburn was later imprisoned for fraud in connection to the incident of fraud by false representation.

Daughter Valerie added that Mr Fell’s funeral would be on a very appropriate date.

“The service will be on Friday, November 11 at 11.30am at Pleasington chapel.

“The fact that it’s on Armistice Day will make us even more proud of Dad and many from his former regiment will be attending,” she said.