He was also a boxer of some prowess at bantamweight level and during his military career developed an all round interest in sport and for 15 years he was a qualified football referee, officiating at many local matches and cup competitions.

Every New Year‘s Eve, Reg, often dressed as Father Time, would stand on the steps of the town hall and lead the crowd of revellers who gathered in the market place in community singing and a rendering of Auld Lang Syne to see out the old and bring in the new, an event that became an annual occasion attracting more than 1,000 people.

He held many offices within the Bourne branch of the Royal British Legion, including that of vice-chairman, and was honoured with life membership. For the last six years of his life he was a sick visitor for the Royal British Legion in the Bourne area, making more than 5,000 visits and taking gifts and greetings to those who were unwell. It is also reckoned that his work raised some £10,000 for charitable causes, one quarter of if for his beloved Swinstead where £2,500 was given to the village church, elderly people and the youth club. His other passion was his membership of the Buffs, becoming treasurer of the Bourne branch for a spell but he also found time to cultivate a large garden at his home at 13 Mill Drove.

Reg died on 3rd September 1979, aged 67, leaving a widow, Sylvia, daughter of the North Street chemist Edgar Judge, and two children, and after a funeral service at the Abbey Church, conducted by Canon Gordon Lanham, he was cremated at Grantham.

See also     Civic Sunday     The Royal British Legion