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Farewell to an old soldier

23/ 1/2008

A WAR veteran who devoted more than half-a-century to raising funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal has died at the age of 91.

Arthur Peacher, who served for four years in Burma during World War Two, was awarded an MBE in 2000 for his services to charity.

As well as running the appeal from his Broadbottom home, he was also a keen supporter of Willow Wood Hospice and volunteered for more than 20 years at Glossop Meals on Wheels.

Arthur, who lost wife Dorothy in 2004 after 56 years of marriage, is thought to have died from a sudden heart attack on Wednesday. He had one son Brian, grandson Tim and was a doting great-granddad to two-year-old Madelyn.

Tim, 38, remembered the moment Arthur received his MBE from the Queen.

"He fought for Queen and country so it was a real honour for him and he was proud as punch," he said. "I think it was a bit of a shock for him because he was never really one to push himself, he always played down what he did.

"It’s difficult to describe him, he was just a genuine guy with a word for everybody. Every year he talked about giving up the poppies, but I never thought he would, it was in his blood."

Arthur, a retired hatter, remained active up until his death, selling poppies door-to-door up until November. He is thought to have raised in excess of £100,000 for the Royal British Legion.

County manager Jeff Harrison said: "The whole of the legion in Cheshire were saddened to hear the news. Arthur had been a member since the early 50s."

A funeral service will be held tomorrow (Friday) at 11am at St Mary Magdalene CofE Church, Mottram Road, Broadbottom. Instead of flowers, the family has requested donations to the legion or Willow Wood.