OLD soldiers formed a guard of honour at the funeral of a Second World War hero, who has died at the age of 97.

John Addison Dobson, from Darlington, served with the Royal Corps of Signals throughout the war, seeing action in North Africa and coming close to losing his leg during the Battle of Monte Cassino, in Italy, in 1944.

Mr Dobson, known to some as Jack, died on February 16 following a short illness.

Family, friends and colleagues from the Royal British Legion and the Royal Signals Association gathered for his funeral at Darlington Crematorium today (Friday, February 27).

Originally from Whitby, North Yorkshire, he was a Corporal in the Signals and kept a diary of his wartime experiences.

Daughter, Lesley Compson, is working through the diaries and transferring the hand-written notes onto computer.

She said the memoirs offer insights into her father's experiences, thoughts and feelings from the time.

Mrs Compson is one of four children Mr Dobson had with his wife Vera, to whom he got engaged before the war and married in 1942.

Her sister Gina and brothers Jeffrey and Andrew were among the mourners.

Mrs Dobson died eight years ago.

The couple had eight grand-children and six great-grandchildren.

Asked about her project to transcribe her father's diaries, Mrs Compson said: "I have got 100 A4-sized pages already and I still have a year and a half worth of diaries to get through.

"Dad talks about entering Sorrento and how his unit shared a cup of tea with a general when he approached them as they sat by the side of the road.

"It is fascinating to read the diaries, he kept them almost every day and they are something we found when my mam died.

"Dad never talked about the war, so it is quite moving to read his words and get an insight into what he saw and what he felt.

"He describes his 24th birthday and it made me think how many 24-year-olds today could say they have done what these lads did."

After the war, Mr and Mrs Dobson settled in Darlington, where he worked as a plumber and electrician.

The couple also ran an off-licence during the 1970s.

Mrs Compson said family was what made her father happiest and he took great pride in his membership of different military organisations.

"You never saw my Dad without his blazer and Royal Signals badge, he was always smartly dressed in a shirt and tie and was treasurer of the Signals association for a lot of years."

Asked for her lasting memories, she replied: "He was such a kind, gentle man; I never heard my Dad say a bad word about anybody.

"He was so placid and caring, family was everything to him."