WELL known former councillor and school teacher Thomas Llewelyn (Lyn) Richards, of Alvington, has died, aged 88.
Mr Richards will be remembered by many local people, not least the generations of boys he taught during his 40 years in Lydney secondary schools between 1936 and his retirement in 1976.
This was interrupted from 1940 to 1946 when he served with the RAF during the Second World War, logging over 4,000 hours in the air.
He completed two operational tours as a front line bomber pilot, the first in Europe with 612 City of Aberdeen Squadron and was regarded as a brave, able and lucky pilot by the crews that flew with him.
He also saw service with 8 Squadron and 216 Squadron, flying extensively in Africa and the Middle East, where his teaching skills were utilised as a pilot instructor.
Many will also recall Lyn's commitment to representing the local community during his 18 years as a local councillor, on Lydney Rural District Council and Forest of Dean district councils where he served as chairman of the council and of the finance committee and on Alvington Parish Council where he was chairman of the council for most of those 18 years.
Lyn's interests were not confined to local government however, and he had been a keen chorist, bell ringer, soccer player and ruby football supporter.
Born in Porth, Rhondda and raised in central Wales he was proud of his Celtic heritage as many who knew him will testify. He also had a passion for motorcycling and all forms of engineering, which continued up to his illness.
Lyn is survived by his wife Ray to whom he had been married for 55 years, his sons Stephen and Martyn and daughter, Ceri.