TRIBUTES have been paid to a veteran who raised more than £1 million for the Royal British Legion.

Lifelong Eastleigh resident Norman Brown has died on August 10, aged 92.

Mr Brown has been the backbone for Hampshire’s Poppy Appeal for more than 20 years and was the president of Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford and District Branch of The Royal British Legion.

He served with the Royal Engineers in France and Belgium during the Second World War and was given the post of county co-ordinator for the Poppy Appeal in 2003.

In 2009, Mr Brown was made an MBE for his service to Hampshire’s Royal British Legion, which he joined in 1992.

Eastleigh MP Mims Davies said he was a true gentleman, absolutely committed to brining the local community together, supporting veterans and service men and women.

Paul Capper, chairman of Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford and District Branch of The Royal British Legion, added: “He was simply Mr Eastleigh, being one of the old school gentlemen of his era. Totally dependable, quiet, kind and just one of life’s treasures the like of whom we will never see again.”

Mr Brown became citizen of honour of the borough of Eastleigh in 2007.

Cllr Paul Bicknell, deputy council leader, said: “Norman was a gentleman loved, admired and respected by a huge number of people.Norman’s work of many years has touched many people and he will be hugely missed.”

In 2009 he was invited by the Queen to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Brown also joined the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service as a retained fireman in 1953 and left in 1981.

He leaves one son, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

His son Michael said: “He was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and in the last few years has enjoyed watching them grow, even when he was 90 he was still trying to play football with his only great grandson Oliver. He has been a wonderful father whom I will miss greatly, gone but never forgotten.”

His funeral will be held at Wessex Vale Crematorium on September 1 at 11am.