ERIC L Jones DFC was one of the heroes of Britain's struggle against Nazi Germany in World War Two.

He joined the RAF in April 1941 and trained as a pilot in Canada. Back in England he was posted to No 49 Squadron flying Lancasters and flew his first operation on the night of August 22, 1943, targeting Leverkusen.

He was a stalwart of RAF Bomber Command and completed a tour of 29 combat operations in the Lancaster - feats of bravery that later earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.

In January 1944 his aircraft shot down an Me110 nightfighter south of Hannover and he flew a total of 12 trips to Berlin, the most heavily defended target in the Reich.

In later years, he would recall how it felt very strange to be placed in charge of a four-engined bomber and its crew when he was just 22 years old and had not yet earned his driving licence.

He would also say that he considered himself very lucky to have survived the war since half of the RAF 's bomber crews did not return.

In later life he supported the Bomber Command Association and 49 Squadron Association.

After the war Mr Jones joined his father-in-law's demolition business, in which he worked for 26 years before moving to Bournemouth. He wrote a book about his wartime experiences and often gave talks to local clubs.

He served as social secretary for the Bournemouth and District Probus Club for a number of years and, when the club had a waiting list of people wanting to join, was a founding member of its spin-off Bournemouth Probus 2.

His interest in aviation never wavered and he was a supporter of the Airship Association based at Bournemouth Airport.

Mr Jones lived at Lilliput Care Home before his death at the age of 92. A service of thanksgiving for his life was held at Poole Crematorium on Tuesday, March 17.