Keen gardener and familiar face in Fair Oak Harold Price, who had enjoyed a long career in the British Army, radio and engineering, has died, aged 94.

Born in Bromley in Kent in February1927, Harold was one of three children with older and younger sisters. He joined the Scouts at the age of 11 and remained in the movement for the rest of his life.

World War II saw Harold go to Arborfield to join the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME), aged just 15. At 4ft 11, he was the smallest soldier in the British Army and became a radio mechanic. After completing his apprenticeship, he saw service in various parts of England as well as three tours abroad, to Basra, Haifa and Tripoli.

Returning to the UK aged 21 and now a staff sergeant, he also worked in the radio repair shop in Christchurch. After 11 years in the Army, Harold moved into the civilian world.

Harold was employed by the Marconi Company in Chelmsford, starting as a draughtsman and becoming a technical author. While in Chelmsford, he joined the Civil Defence, met his beloved wife Harriet and raised a family while maintaining a garden and growing fruit and vegetables.

After 20 years there, Harold joined Vickers Engineering Company in Swindon where he started a new scout group. When Vickers returned to Hampshire, the Price family bought a house in Fair Oak.

Harold was a founder member of the Fair Oak Gardening Club, the last original member. He was elected to the Fair Oak Parish Council and assigned to the Fair Oak Village Hall Management committee, where he became chairperson, a post he held for 13 years. In recognition of his service, one of the venue's rooms is named in his honour.

Just before he retired, Harold took an allotment which he worked for over 30 years, He was also involved in the Eastleigh Allotment Society.

He enjoyed spending time with his growing family, holidays abroad and took evening classes to learn Dutch. Harold joined the Southampton Anglo-Dutch Society and was a member for nearly 30 years.

Harold leaves his wife Harriet, children Coral, Julian, Robert and Jade, five grandsons and six great grandchildren.