CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A POSTMAN and Royal British Legion campaigner collapsed in front of colleagues at Chippenham sorting office.

Jack Sinclair, 63, of Ashe Close, Chippenham, collapsed after suffering a heart attack at work last Tuesday and, despite three postal workers trained in first aid rushing to help, he later died at the Royal United Hospital, Bath.

The father-of-two was chairman of Chippenham British Legion, Remembrance Day parade commander and was recently rewarded for 20 years loyal service as a postman.

His wife Irene, 63, said: "He loved his job and he died where he enjoyed himself so much. He was happy there. It is better it happened at work than somewhere else even if it was such a shock for everyone.

"People used to call him the man with the bowler hat, at remembrance services. He was full of life and would go out of his way to help people. He was a big character."

Mr Sinclair lived in Chippenham with his wife and two children after leaving the army in 1977.

The retired sergeant with 39 Royal Regiment first worked as a security guard and became a postman in 1985.

His job took him to homes throughout the area and he received an award for long service at a special dinner held by the Royal Mail in February.

Mr Sinclair was the parade commander at Remembrance Sunday and chairman of the Chippenham British Legion for the past eight years.

He won a certificate in 1990 for work with local Sea Cadets and received an award from the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire for services for charity including the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal.

Ken Hall, chairman of Wiltshire Royal British Legion, said: "I always found him very helpful. I am very shocked especially in the way that he died."

John Titchener, line manager at Chippenham sorting office, worked with Mr Sinclair for 20 years.

He said: "Jack was a very good organiser, he organised everything for social events and he was always immaculately turned out and he was loved by colleagues and his customers.

"One little story that sums him up was the time we bought a pool table and he was the worst player and everyone wanted to give him a game. Recently he became the best and no one wanted to play him. We have held a collection and we are thinking about putting up a bench to remember Jack.

"It was quite a shock for everyone when he collapsed at work. Three first-aiders went to help him but the hospital said the heart attack was so big they wouldn't have been able to do any more."

Town mayor Ross Henning said: "The Remembrance Day services are one thing I will always remember. He added dignity to the occasion and that will be my strongest memory of him."

Mr Sinclair's funeral was held at St Paul's Church on Wednesday and was attended by standard bearers from Wiltshire Royal British Legion and work colleagues.

Mr Sinclair leaves his wife, son Neil, 38, daughter Fiona, 36, who both live in Chippenham and sister Helen Tuddenham, of Edinburgh.

Matt Wilkinson