TRIBUTES have been paid to a "kind-hearted grandfather who was full of life and always putting others first".

A "great man who loved his time in the RAF", Cpl Brian Willcocks was Southampton born and bred.

He had already fought lung cancer for two-and-a-half years.

But on Tuesday, the 82-year-old died following a short battle with coronavirus - he had been diagnosed the Sunday before.

The grandfather of four served with the RAF in Aden, Yemen.

He worked as an engineer fixing planes for nine years between 1957 and 1966.

Born in Weston, Cpl Willcocks studied at the Woolston school as a boy and more recently lived in Midanbury with his wife of 65 years, Sonia, 81.

After retiring from the services he worked as a motor mechanic.

He leaves behind two children and four grandchildren including Alison.

For Alison, her grandad was a "massive inspiration".

The 19-year-old said: "He was really selfless. He was very kind-hearted, full of life and energetic.

"He would look after my nan so well, cooking for her every night. Their love story was a nice one.

"Grandad would sit in his chair reading the newspaper and doing the sudoku and nan doing the crosswords. Then they would swap papers.

"I remember him always doing something in his shed, fixing something or pottering about the garden.

"He would joke every Sunday he was going to church but instead go to the pub."

Alison has followed in her grandad's footsteps by joining the forces with hopes to see the world and "protect the country".

However, keen to keep her feet on the ground she joined the army and now serves with the 11th Signal Regiment based at Blandford Camp in Dorset.

According to Alison, her grandad would tell her stories about his time with the RAF and how he missed the people.

The two would bond by visiting army museums and learning about military history together.

When times were tough during her basic training, Alison would think of her grandad for inspiration.

Alison says her granddad battled through his illness with cancer to proudly support her at her passing out ceremony in February.

She adds that when she first wanted to join the army her family objected but it was her grandad who talked them round to the idea.

Brian died at Southampton General Hospital.