Tributes paid to Melton man who received royal honours for his RAF service
Tributes have been paid to a Melton Mowbray man who was recognised on two occasions in the royal honours list for services to the armed forces.
Anthony Gough, who was 80, was awarded the MBE in 1985 and the British Empire Medal (BEM) in 1997 for the dedication he showed while serving for 39 years in the Royal Air Force.
Tony, as he was known to family and friends, suffered from dementia in his later years and he passed away at his Melton home.
His daughter-in-law, Nicola Pearce-Gough, told the Melton Times: “We have had so many cards saying what a kind and lovely man Tony was.
"People wrote about how he would help anyone with anything.”
Tony was born in Crewe, in Cheshire, and the family moved to Melton Mowbray when he was a teenager.
He studied at the old Boys’ Modern School in the town before joining the RAF aged 15 in 1961.
Tony had several overseas postings to Australia, Germany, Borneo, Ireland and Italy, rising to the rank of Warrant Officer.
He married Susan in Melton Mowbray in 1967 and the couple had two children, Nicola Higgins and Paul Gough.
Tony was a big family man and doted on his seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one step great-grandchild.
He was a keen badminton player and also enjoyed hobbies such as fishing, watching steam trains and stamp collecting.
A funeral service for Tony will be held tomorrow (Wednesday July 1) at 11am at Loughborough Crematorium, with friends welcome to join family mourners.