TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Southampton police boss, who dedicated 33 years of his life to protecting the city.

Former Superintendent of Southampton, George Mansell has died, just four days before his 98th birthday.

He joined Southampton police in 1937 and during his long career, gained four commendations, which saw him rise to the rank of superintendent.

During the war he served with the Navy and commanded a landing craft in the Normandy invasions and was later gunnery officer in HMS Jamaica.

Back with the force, he spent seven years as patrol sergeant in the Shirley division and became inspector in 1958.

He was promoted to chief inspector in 1961 and took charge of Portswood sub-division in 1965, rising to superintendent a few months later when the new station opened.

Constabulary changes When the force amalgamated to become Hampshire Constabulary in 1967, he took on the role of superintendent of Southampton Central.

After retiring in 1970 at the age of 53, he went on to work for Eastleigh Borough Council, before setting up his own private detective company.

In recent years the grandfather-ofone had been living at the Sunrise Retirement home, in Burgess Road Bassett, where he died on January 14.

He died of heart failure and old age.

His only child, daughter, Eileen Moore, said: “He was a very supportive father and was a very jovial man, he loved to tell jokes.

“He was extremely sociable and family orientated. He will be missed by so many.”

His funeral will be held at Southampton Crematorium, East Chapel, on February 16, at 2pm, with a wake to be held at Romsey Golf Club.