He received his award almost three years ago in recognition of his enormous contribution to life in Wallington village, where he had lived with his wife, Jean since 1961. He was one of Wallington’s best known and liked characters.

Mr Hall had been one of the driving forces behind Wallington Village Community Association (WVCA) since the 1980s and was its chairman for three years from 1994-1997.

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He regularly initiated fund-raising events, organised the Wallington Village luncheon club and co-ordinated the Village Neighbourhood Watch programme.

He carried out many fundraising initiatives for the new village hall and insisted on local design features and materials. Jim's involvement in the protection of Fareham’s heritage led to him becoming Chair of the Fareham Society for three years.

In a tribute, local Fareham councillor Katrina Trott said: “Jim was a kindly, loving man who was very public spirited, contributing to so many aspects of village life and thoroughly deserved being made of the Borough’s Citizens of Honour in 2019.

“It has been an honour and a pleasure to have known him and Jean for 25 years. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the wider community.”

Born in 1931 in the small Yorkshire market town of Pocklington, Jim excelled in sciences at the local grammar school and, away from his studies, became the county’s high jump champion.

He met Jean when they were both 12, they married in 1954 and celebrated their 67th Wedding Anniversary last August. They have two sons and five grandsons.

Jim read engineering at Cambridge and was in the Royal Navy for 34 years from 1949, serving on at least six major ships including the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious, winning medals for service in the Suez Canal zone and the Malay Peninsula. He spent time in Hong Kong and Mombasa, as well as trips to Australia and New Zealand.

He sailed to numerous points of the compass before being selected as Commander in 1971 and later taking charge of major refits of numerous ships, including the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Jim ended his Royal Navy commission in 1983 to take up a civilian appointment as Site Services Manager at Marconi Underwater Systems in Waterlooville before leaving after five years to set up his own engineering consultancy – and immersing himself into Wallington village life and his numerous voluntary roles.

He retired in 2002 to spend time on his hobbies of model engineering, philately, gardening and caravanning.