A FUNERAL director and war hero has died at the age of 90.

Jack Douch, from Colehill, was awarded the Freedom of Valletta for his bravery aboard HMS Bramham bringing supplies to besieged Malta in 1942.

After excelling at Wimborne Elementary School, he joined his father’s cabinet making and funeral directing firm FC Douch & Son aged 14. Joining the Navy in 1942 as a telegraphist, he was aboard HMS Bramham during Operation Pedestal to supply troops and civilians in Malta.

He also served on Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union, receiving a medal of thanks many years later from Russian President Vladimir Putin. While stationed in the US, Jack visited other funeral directors in the name of research – and after the war, he became one of the first in the south west to study embalming. Under Jack’s leadership FC Douch & Son employed 80 people, with eight furniture stores in the south. In 1995 the last of the furniture shops closed and the business became purely funerals.

Jack was a keen batsman and wicketkeeper at Wimborne Cricket club from 1935 till the early 70s and a former president of the club.

He married his childhood sweetheart Barbara Comben in 1944 during a week’s leave from the Navy. Barbara died in 2007.

Jack is survived by son Peter, daughter Judy, five grandsons and three great granddaughters.

A private cremation was held recently, followed by a public service to remember Jack at Wimborne Minster.