The exploits of a Second World War veteran were recalled at his funeral today.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cant RASC (retired), who died last week aged 88, served his country with distinction throughout his long army career.

He was a professional soldier from the age of 17, when he joined the Highland Light Infantry, and after spells in India and Afghanistan he served during the war in France.

He was evacuated at Dunkirk, with all of his kit still intact, and in later years he was captured and taken prisoner in France.

He had been held for around 48 hours when he decided to make a run for it and although he escaped, a collegue was shot and killed in the attempt.

In another incident, he was strafed by a Stuka dive bomber and shot in the leg.

Lieut Col Cant was instrumental in the Berlin airlift and soon after the war ended he walked across one of the few German dams not breached by the legendary Dambusters.

After serving in the Military Police and Royal Army Service Corps, he returned to England to be awarded a King's Commission.

He arrived in Sedgefield, County Durham, in 1949 as an adjutant at the former army camp.

It was while posted in the village that he met and married Dilys at St Edmunds Church. The couple also celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary there in 2000.

After continuing his long service with a spell in Singapore, the family returned to Sedgefield where Lieut Col Cant took up the appointment of Officer Commanding the Garrison.

Even after he retired from the regulars he kept his hand in with the Territorial Army, commanding the company in Darlington and Newton Aycliffe.

The family moved to Coxhoe but returned to Sedgefield where Lieut Col Cant, grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of six, was a familiar figure regularly walking his dog Timmy.

Speaking at his funeral service in St Edmunds yesterday, daughter Pixie said: "Throughout his life he has always carried himself, in carriage and character, in principle and promises, as an officer and a gentleman, neither saying, nor having said, a wrong word about anyone."