MILFORD bowls veteran Derek Newland died peacefully on April 14 after a short illness, aged 82.

Born in Surbiton in January 1933, Mr Newland spent most of his life in the city suburbs, but after retirement he and his wife Barbara moved to the south coast in 1999.

In Milford he became well-known as a member of two bowls clubs - Milford Bowls Club and the East Dorset Indoor Bowls Club - as a player, socially and for organising events.

Mr Newland grew up in Surrey during the Second World War, but was evacuated to his grandparents' home in Cardiff. In both locations his childhood was disrupted by German bombing raids.

After studying at Kingston Technical College he joined National Electrical at the age of 16, but went on to do his national service with the Royal Air Force in Japan and Singapore from 1951-53, during the Korean War.

As a Leading Aircraftman, he worked as a rear gunner on Sunderland flying boats, and as a clerk to 205 Squadron. Their task was to supply aerial photographs of enemy supply lines in the Tsushima Straits between Korea and Japan.

At the end of his period of service Mr Newland returned to work for National Electrical, and later joined Birmingham electrical supply firm HL Appleby as its southern area sales rep.

He remained with the company until he was made redundant in 1996.

He and Barbara married at St Christopher's Church in Hinchley Wood in 1965, and went on to have two sons, Steven and Alan. They lived in Surbiton in the late 1960s but within a few years had moved to Byfleet.

Ever the sportsman, Mr Newland played rugby for the Old Surbitonians and was also a keen cricketer and badminton player. It was through the latter sport that he met his wife.

The family also enjoyed travelling, visiting camp sites in Europe with members of Mrs Newland's netball team.

Although he was initially reluctant to move away from London, Mr Newland was eventually persuaded by his wife to move to Milford and into her parents' former home.

There they became actively involved in the community, playing four times a week at the two bowls clubs.

An enthusiast for horse racing, two years ago he celebrated his 80th birthday with his family at Ascot.

Mr Newland, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few weeks before his death, is survived by his wife, children and four grandchildren.

A funeral service was held at Bournemouth Crematorium yesterday (APR 30).