TRIBUTES have been paid to a "hero" who saved lives during the Second World War and devoted more than 40 years of his life to the county's ex-service community.

Don Sammons MBE, D-Day war veteran and former Oxford City Royal British Legion president, died peacefully in his sleep last week aged 91.

The former Pressed Steel plant worker dedicated more than 40 years of his life to the RBL and his lifelong friend Jim Lewendon said he had been a "hero" for the nation and the ex-service community.

Mr Lewendon, 87, said: "He was lifelong friend of mine and he will greatly missed by everyone at the Royal British Legion.

"We were very close and I was very upset to hear the news - he was an excellent chap and I can't say enough about him as a person.

"He was an incredibly brave soldier, but never really spoke about what he did.

"I know his actions saved several lives and that's why he was awarded many medals including an MBE."

The pair went to the same school in Summertown - St Michael and All Angels church primary school - along with Don's younger brother Ken.

Don then joined the Guards Armoured Division who landed as part of the second phase of troops on D-Day.

He later become part of the Medical Corps team first to enter the Bergen-Belsen Nazi concentration camp.

He saw out the war with the Guards Armoured Division in Brussels and then served in the Territorial Army until 1962.

When he returned to civilian life he worked for Royal Mail and then for Pressed Steel based at the current Cowley BMW Mini Plant.

His daughter Rita described him as a "proud and caring" man who had a lifelong passion for opera and classical music.

Mr Sammons helped out with the Royal British Legion's Oxford City branch for more than 40 years and served as its president.

The father-of-two, who moved to Summertown from Great Malvern as a young child, organised and marshalled the Armistice Day parade in St Giles for many years.

Mr Lewendon said: "He was a lifetime member and did so much work for the RBL

"He was a hero for his country during the war and then again in what he did for the ex-service community for many years afterwards."

Mr Sammons' wife Iris, who he married in 1952, died in 1993 having suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

He retired from work early to take care of her and actively supported research into Alzheimer's for many years.

Donations from his cremation - at Oxford Crematorium on May 12 at 11.15am - will go to The Alzheimer's Society.

He leaves a daughter Rita and son Andrew.