A RESPECTED Poole yachtsman, who won his first race at Parkstone Yacht Club in 1935, has passed away aged 90.

Len Cox, who met Lawrence of Arabia as a child, established himself as a boat designer and marine surveyor during the 1950s.

The grandfather-of-two became a recognised expert in wooden boats, refusing to consider retirement until ill health at the age of 85.

During the Second World War he worked as a trials and service engineer on motor torpedo boats at a Poole repair base.

Afterwards, he joined BOAC on Sunderland Flying Boats in Poole Harbour.

Len’s eldest daughter Amanda said: “His lust for adventure and travel featured throughout his life. He travelled to New Zealand, aged 17, and then in 1947, while working on a Sunderland seaplane, he spotted the 75ft schooner Deerhound on Poole Quay, heard it was bound for South Africa, so joined it with a friend.

“This got them to Freetown, Sierra Leone, where they joined a steam trawler to work the rest of their passage.”

When Len returned to the UK, in 1948, he partnered Frederick Parker, designing successful sailing boats. He later formed Cox and Haswell and had success with motor cruiser designs.

Len was a member of both the Parkstone and Royal Motor Yacht Clubs and enjoyed racing victories throughout the golden era of sailing in the 1950s.

Len’s wife, Sheila, lives in Lower Parkstone. His first wife lives in Sydney, Australia, with their younger daughter Deborah.

Amanda said: “I continue to learn more about my father’s exploits, which included meeting Lawrence of Arabia.

“My grandfather worked for Rolls Royce and served in the Middle East in World War One.

“Lawrence came to visit when my father was a boy.”

Len’s funeral took place at All Saints Church, Branksome Park, Poole.