TRIBUTES have been paid to a Dunkirk survivor who was a “stalwart” of the Eastleigh community.

Ronald Ashton, 91, who was known as Jack, had been a president of the town’s Royal British Legion, a chairman of Eastleigh Conservative party and a founder governor of Pitmore Special School in Winchester Road.

After his death from prostate cancer, family and friends have paid their respects to a man who worked tirelessly for many different causes in Eastleigh.

Widow, Minna, 90, said: “He really wanted to help people in the community and he was so full of energy.

“I think he will be really missed in the town.”

Jack was one of thousands of British soldiers evacuated from the French beach at Dunkirk by one of the ‘little ships’ in 1940, and made it back to England thanks to a paddle steamer called Medway Queen.

He served in the Coldstream Guards throughout the Second World War – an experience that prompted him to become heavily involved in the Royal British Legion when he was in his 70s.

After he left the Army, Jack worked in a variety of furniture shops – including being a manager at Peter Green Furnishings in Factory Road.

His last job was in the ticket office at Marwell Zoo, which he retired from at the age of 80.

He was awarded an MBE in 1995 for his volunteer work as a governor at Pitmore School, now called Lakeside School, which caters for boys with emotional, social and behavioural difficulties.

Jack also leaves sons Paul and Peter and grandchildren Gregory, Christopher, Christina and Helen.