He was the war hero honoured with the freedom of the city who spent years as a prisoner of war and survived an air attack on his ship to live to the age of 105.

Albert Warne, a familiar face and pillar of the Bitterne community, has died.

Bert, as he was known, was married to Freda for 47 years, father to Diane and Linda, grandfather to Zoe and Melissa and great grandfather to Henry and Joe. 

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Born in Cowes in December 1919, Bert moved to Southampton at the age of nine, living in Woolston and Merry Oak and attending Florence Road School.

After a short stint as a baker's boy, Bert trained as a shipwright with Camper & Nicholsons in Northam. 

He met Freda at a party in 1938, but was called up the following year, days before the outbreak of war.

(Image: Family collection) In 1941, Bert was sent overseas where the fleet suffered an air attack in Singapore. Left in the sick bay, Bert had to find a way through the port hole and swam away from the sinking ship. He was rescued and taken to a hospital at Changhai, which the Japanese invaded and took him prisoner. 

He was a prisoner of war for three and a half years, including an 18 month stint on the notorious Thai railway where 14,000 perished.

After a lengthy journey home, via plane, ship and train, he arrived at Southampton Central to be met by his parents and girlfriend. Neighbours put out the flags to welcome him home with a party at the Merry Oak pub.

(Image: Family collection) Bert and Freda married at Bitterne Church in December 1945.

He resumed work at Camper & Nicholsons until 1979, moving to Vosper Thorneycroft in Woolston and retiring in 1982. He lost Freda a decade later. 

Bert long campaigned for proper recognition for Far East prisoners of war, eventually getting a permanent memorial erected, which is today the focus of Southampton's annual VJ Remembrance Service.

Bert, who remained at the family home in Bitterne until his death earlier this month, was president of the Bitterne OAP Society and Bitterne History Society and was given honorary membership of Bitterne Conservative Club.

He was thrilled to be named Freeman of the City of Southampton in recognition of his efforts for those who fought in the Far East. 

(Image: Family collection)

Bert's funeral will take place at Holy Saviour Church in Bitterne on Wednesday March 26 at 1pm.