The Rev Canon John "Jumbo" Wilson, one of those priests whom journalists like to describe as a colourful clergyman, has died. He was 79.

For 20 years he'd been a soldier - mentioned in Despatches, rose to the rank of major, was master of beagles and carried a Burmese bullet in his bicep - before studying for the ministry and becoming curate of St Helen's Auckland in 1967.

We knew him even then, shared the occasional pint, followed his clerical career to South Hetton where, as Vicar, he spent many a shift underground, getting his hands dirty with the miners.

In 1975, however, we also revealed that he was leaving parish ministry. "I'm not bitter or twisted, I'm just bored and under-employed by the Church," he said.

None of them went into the ministry with eyes open, thus making it rather like marriage, he added.

He became a management lecturer at Sunderland Poly, remained as manpower adviser to the Stockton and Darlington Railway's 150th anniversary cavalcade, helped form Locomotion Enterprises which restored old steam engines.

Seven years later he was persuaded by John Habgood, then Bishop of Durham, to return full time to the Church. Nothing in the diocese of Durham deemed suitable for Jumbo's peculiar talents, he moved to Norfolk, and remained.

He was born in West Hartlepool, educated and nicknamed at King James I Grammar School in Bishop Auckland - whether for reasons of girth or thickness of skin we were never quite certain - met his wife Mavis, who survives him, on a troop ship returning from the Middle East.

"He became known as an outspoken preacher and a diligent, caring pastor and never ceased to be a plain speaking North countryman," said a lengthy obituary in the Telegraph. He was a very good bloke.