A popular milkman who helped villagers in the small communities of South Wraxall and Avoncliff has died, aged 80.

Great-grandfather Robert Lawrence Hervin died in hospital on June 1 from pneumonia.

Born in Duke Street, Trowbridge, Mr Hervin later moved with his family to Jenkins Street where he grew up.

After his schooling, Mr Hervin joined the Army as a cook for the Cameron’s Highlanders Scottish Regiment and was very proud of his Scottish roots.

Soon after he met his future wife Winifred Street, and they married when he was 21.

They lived in Germany and then in Bradford on Avon until Mrs Hervin died from a heart attack four years ago, just under a year after the death of their eldest daughter Sue, who died from cancer aged 48.

The couple had four children, Robin, 55, Warminster’s park keeper; John, 52, from Bradford on Avon; Jane Hill, 48, from Westwood, Bradford; and the late Sue.

After leaving the Army, Mr Hervin worked for Compton’s Piggery in Bradford, and did some building work before he became a milkman for Terry Burns, covering the Bradford area, including South Wraxall and Avoncliff.

His daughter Mrs Hill said: “He loved people. He was a very sociable sort of person, very jolly and jovial.

“Everyone loved him on his milk round. He would put himself out and get people sausages and bread from the shops on his way round.

“He loved animals too. He used to breed birds like budgies and parakeets, and had a little aviary. He loved dogs and his last one was a springer spaniel called Sid.

“He liked to be smart and presentable and would put on a shirt and tie to go down to the shops. He was a gentleman.”

Mr Hervin was forced to take early retirement due to Parkinson’s Disease.

He and his wife then moved from Downavon, where the couple’s children were brought up, to Widbrook View.

At the age of 74 he was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue, but recovered well after treatment.

Three years ago Mr Hervin had a bad fall and soon afterwards was diagnosed with dementia. He had then lived at Anzac House in Devizes and Catherines House in Frome.

He also leaves two granddaughters, Jemma, 31, and Joanne, 25; and three great-grandchildren, Emily 12, Charlie, five, and Isla, two, his sister Pat Kantharia, from Shaftesbury, and sister-in-law Jean, from Trowbridge.

His funeral was held last Friday at West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington.