SECOND World War veteran, John Jones, who served in Africa and Europe, before working up to a management role at the Bournemouth Echo has died aged 95.

He enjoyed a life living in Bournemouth and provided a home for many foreign language students who came to the town in the 1970s and 1980s.

John Edward Jones was born in Bradford, son of William and Margaret Jones on March 27, 1923.

His father worked as an electrical engineer at a newspaper in Bradford until a serious accident at work forced his early retirement.

The family moved to Bournemouth when John was 11-years-old, along with his older sister Joan, who was also known as Margaret.

John's mother turned her hand to owning and running a small hotel/guesthouse in Burnaby Road on the West Cliff, while all the family helped out.

At the age of 14, John left school and started working at the Bournemouth Echo.

When the Second World War broke out in 1939, he attempted to join the RAF aged 16, but he was instead called up into the army before he received his RAF exam results.

John was enlisted into the Seaforth Highlanders where he was trained as a signaller and learned to speak fluent German.

His service during the conflict saw him spend time served in North Africa, Sicily, mainland Italy, France and Germany. Had the war not concluded when it did, John had expected to go out to the Far East.

After the war he returned to Bournemouth and the Evening Echo.

In the early days he served as a union representative eventually becoming ‘Father of the Chapel’.

His progression with the company saw him eventually take on a management role, before he rose to become Assistant Advertising Manager.

In 1954, he married Elizabeth Penny. The couple had two children together Diana and Richard.

Alongside family life, he took up oil painting in the 1960s and he would often sell his work to the public in Bournemouth Gardens.

The Jones family home still contains many examples of his work which are often admired by the younger generations.

John was also a keen fisherman in his earlier life. He owned his own small dinghy, however he gave up this hobby after the children were born.

As Diana and Richard began to grow up, John and Elizabeth became hosts to many foreign language students who came to study in Bournemouth throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

The couple really enjoyed meeting young people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.

After taking early retirement in 1985, John kept very active doing decorating and gardening for the neighbours.

For a long time John enjoyed spending time in his garden, listening to classical music, his cats and Capri cars, which he drove right up until he was 92-years-old.

A life in Bournemouth ensured he had a love for the beach, where he could be found most days when the sun shone.

He remained very active and lively, despite his age, right up until earlier this year.

John passed away in Muscliff Nursing Home on Friday, July 27 after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, children, Diana and Richard, and two grandchildren.