‘Doug would be amazed by all these tributes' - says widow Liz ahead of Spitfire hero Doug Gregory's funeral

Doug Gregory, 92, lost his battle for life in hospital two weeks after suffering severe injuries sustained while he was walking home after buying his morning paper.

His widow Liz was too upset to talk about the traumatic events of the past weeks but said the public outpouring of support would have astounded her husband.

• Doug Gregory through the years - pictures >>

She said: “The response and interest shown from across the country is overwhelming. I’m so grateful for all the messages and cards I have received.

“The support from people would have astounded Doug. I know he would be totally amazed.”

Mrs Gregory (above) , a former nurse who met Doug 68 years ago when he survived a brain haemorrhage, also spoke out to praise the care her husband received in hospital in his final moments.

She added: “The hospital team looking after Doug were absolutely fantastic, just brilliant. The care, the skills and the tenderness shown were absolutely wonderful.”

His funeral will take place at Southampton Crematorium, in Stoneham Lane, on Thursday, April 30.

Mrs Gregory said hundreds of people from across the country are expected to attend and mourners are urged to dress in celebration of the pilot’s colourful life.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Mr Gregory was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after surviving almost 70 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe during the Second World War – double the number of missions required for aircrew at the time.

Doug Gregory during his younger years.

Mr Gregory left the RAF in 1946 and became an art teacher at two New Forest schools – Noadswood in North Road, Dibden Purlieu, and Hardley, now the New Forest Academy, in Long Lane, Holbury.

He later joined the Great War Display Team (GWDT) and built a 1917-style bi-plane, becoming Britain’s oldest stunt pilot, thrilling crowds with his daredevil aerobatic stunts earning him an Old and Bold award before finally hanging up his flying goggles at the age of 90 in 2013.

Mr Gregory (pictured above) was knocked down outside the Murco petrol filling station on March 30 just after 7am.

He had just bought a paper at Blackfield Newsagents and Post Office and was walking home when the accident occurred.

The former flying ace suffered serious head and pelvic injuries and later developed a chest infection.

The motorist involved in the collision later came forward and was interviewed under caution.

The investigation is still under way and no one has been arrested or charged in connection with the crash.

Mr Gregory’s family have asked for donations to the RAF Benevolent Fund by contacting the funeral director with family flowers only.

• The funeral will take place at the East Chapel at 11.45am before a private reception at a hotel. For information or to donate to the RAF Benevolent Fund contact the funeral director Waterside Funeral Home, The Marsh, Hythe, on 023 8084 0202.