An army veteran from Surbiton who served in India and Palestine has died.

Joseph Vincent Patten, known fondly as “Joe”, died aged 88 after contracting pneumonia in hospital where he was being treated for cancer.

Mr Patten, of the Retreat, is survived by his son Mark.

Mr Patten said: “Until dad’s health declined we regularly enjoyed each other’s company watching Harlequins at the Stoop, and also watching England at Twickenham.

“He was keen on sport supporting England rugby, Harlequins and Arsenal and enjoyed watching these and other sports such as cricket on television.

“He took pride in his appearance invariably wearing a jacket and tie. Tributes received almost universally speak of him as a gentleman.”

When Mr Patten Snr first enlisted in the Army he had to report to the London Air Crew Receiving Centre at Lords Cricket Ground.

Early on an air raid there meant everyone had to lie on the hallowed turf – a scene that was captured in a photograph that still exists at the Lords museum today.

He later transferred to the Parachute Regiment and trained at RAF Ringway, where the current Manchester airport stands.

He also served in India, helping training the Indian airborne division, and Burma, where the regiment liberated prisoners of war. Later he was posted to Palestine.

Mr Patten Snr later lived in Esher before moving to New Malden in 1977 and to Surbiton in 2003.

He could be seen every Remembrance Sunday laying a wreath at the Surbiton memorial in memory of fallen colleagues from the Parachute Regiment.

He also raised more than £3,000 for good causes over the years and a Justgiving page in his memory has managed to raise more than £650 so far for Cancer Research UK.

The Parachute Regiment gave Mr Patten a Guard of Honour at his funeral at Kingston Crematorium on January 30, while the Royal British Legion provided a standard bearer.

Visit justgiving.com/joepatten/ to donate.