A DEDICATED member of Corbridge’s branch of the Royal British Legion, and respected member of the community, has died, aged 82.

Known to many throughout the village as “Harry the plumber”, Harold Proud was receiving treatment for a heart condition when he died suddenly on July 8.

Harold was born in Corbridge to parents Harry and Edna and was taken on as a young apprentice by a local plumbing firm straight from school.

A keen sportsman, Harold proved himself as talented young footballer, who played for Corbridge Rangers and Hexham Hearts in his teens.

It was in the early 1950s that he met his wife-to-be, Rose, who was working as a dance teacher at the popular Hexham-based Heppell’s School of Dance.

The pair were engaged shortly after Rose’s 18th birthday and went on to clock up 57 years of marriage after tying the knot at St Mary’s Church in Hexham in 1956.

Within weeks of the wedding, Harold received his National Service call-up papers and spent the first few years of his married life serving as a fireman in the Royal Air Force, beginning with a posting to Harper Hill, near Buxton, in Derbyshire.

The couple went on to have four children – Gillian, Claire, Deborah and Michael.

Harold established his own business, G.H. Proud Plumbing, which continues to trade as M. Proud Plumbing after it was taken over by Michael in the 1990s.

Corbridge British Legion member David Burnett, who took over the role of standard bearer from Harold in 2000, said: “He did everything he could for the annual poppy appeal and could always be relied upon to deliver and collect donation tins around the local area.

“He spent a lot of time visiting members who were in hospital or having a difficult time through his role as branch welfare officer.”

More recently, Harold was given the honorary role of president in recognition of his decades of service.

Over the years Harold was also a keen gardener and spent time tending his plot on the allotments which were found where homes at The Chains now stand.

His love of horse racing regularly took him to local race meetings, and Harold co-owned a number of racehorses right up until he retired.

He was also on the committee at the Corstopitum Social Club and was a founder member of the Tynedale Lions Club, which carries out charitable work in the local community.

“He was always so well-known in the village, through his work in particular, and was quite community-spirited,” said Gillian.

“He would help people out if he could.”

Rose died in 2013, followed by their daughter, Deborah, around 18 months ago.

Harold leaves 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

His funeral took place at St Andrew’s Church, Corbridge, on July 19, with donations collected for the Royal British Legion.