Herbert Stanley Goss, better known as Reg to his friends, was born on December 5, 1920, in Highgate, London.

The youngest of five brothers, Reg was tormented by his elder siblings and always the one to take the blame.

They supported Arsenal Football Club and could be seen at their home ground until the outbreak of the Second World War when two brothers went to Australia and the others enlisted.

A keen sportsman, Reg managed local football teams until he was old enough to enlist in the RAF as a fitness trainer for the fighter pilots at Northolt Aerodrome.

He then volunteered as a postman, carrying important documents for the RAF and running between HQ offices in London, dodging the bombing raids in London.

Reg met his wife Betty Chick at the end of the war during a Saturday night dance at Uxbridge Odeon. They married and had two children.

A typical organiser and always the first to volunteer, Reg represented the RAF at cricket and football where he was on the same side as Sir Stanley Matthews. Stepping in to fill gaps, when no one else would volunteer as wicket keeper, cost Reg his two front teeth.

When he left the RAF he worked as a bus driver in Hounslow, Middlesex where he continued organising coast trips as well as football and cricket matches between rival bus depots.

Reg spent most of his working life in the Post Office until an accident nearly cost him his life and the realisation that he had better take a job in a factory repairing electrical items in West Dayton, close to his home in Hillingdon.

However, he soon became unsettled and ended up installing electrical storage heaters in South East England.

Reg’s passion was always his family. He spent weekends transporting his son Barry and daughter Annette to old tyme dancing competitions. His perseverance paid off when Barry came fourth in the All England finals at Wembley in 1971.

When Barry and Annette each got married Reg and Betty decided to move to Bournemouth and spend the remainder of their lives beside the sea. Sadly four years ago, after 66 years of marriage, Betty passed away. For her last six years Reg was her devoted carer.

He lost his driving licence at the age of 89, due to dementia, but still had the energy to get about on his mobility scooter, travelling from his Northbourne home to Poole or Bournemouth once a week.

When his health deteriorated and he could no longer manage to look after himself, Reg was assisted by carers. He passed away in his sleep on June 22, aged 92.