A CALDICOT man who was a standard bearer for the Royal British Legion and a regular Argus letter writer has died.

Dave Gale, 68, of Longcroft Road, died at the Royal Gwent Hospital on July 10 following a year-long battle with lung cancer.

Mr Gale, who was born in Newport and moved to Caldicot in 1952, served in the RAF for 22 years reaching the rank of sergeant and working at various bases including in Germany.

In the early 1990s he then worked at British Aerospace in Filton, helping write manuals for aircraft.

After retiring, Mr Gale joined the Caldicot branch of the Royal British Legion and also collected for the Poppy Appeal.

In 2009 he became a standard bearer, a role which he carried out for two years. Aside from this, Mr Gale, whose wife Mary died in December 2008, was a regular Argus letter writer.

During the past five years, he sent letters in relating to a variety of issues.

His daughter Mandy Hull, 45, also of Caldicot, said: “He was a real wordsmith and was also sending letters in.

“He was a lovely man and a very genuine character. He will be really missed.”

Mr Gale also leaves behind brother Tony, who lives in Canada, and son-in-law Colin Hull.

A funeral service will be held today at St Mary’s Church, Caldicot, at 2pm followed by a burial at Dewstow Cemetery.