Former mace bearer to Abingdon Town Council, Desert Rat and master carpenter in the film and television industry Maurice "Mick" Parratt has died.
He was 86 and had suffered from a cancer-releated illness for five years.
Mr Parratt, from Sygnet Court in Caldecott Road, retired from the position of mace bearer after nearly 10 years, at the age of 73 .
He attended scores of council meetings and official events carrying the 12lb gold mace, which has been used since 1666.
During the Second World War, Mr Parratt served in the Eighth Army and fought at El Alamein, other parts of North Africa and later in Italy.
He was a master carpenter by trade and spent his working life in films and television, constructing scenery.
He worked on films starring Sir Michael Caine and Sir Harry Secombe and for years was a key man behind the scenes in ATV's variety show Sunday Night at the London Palladium.
In 1990, Mr Parratt and his wife Thirza, who at the time lived in Steventon, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a party at RAF Abingdon.
Mrs Parratt died five years ago and Mr Parratt moved to Abingdon. He is survived by his son Chris and daughter Sandra.
His funeral took place last Friday at St Helen's Church, in Abingdon, followed by cremation at Oxford Crematorium.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article