PHOTOGRAPHS documenting the life of a Royal Navy World War II veteran who died in a residential home near Melksham last year are to be auctioned.

Donald Fox, whose Navy colleagues included the Duke of Edinburgh, was in his late 80s when he died at the home in Shaw.

Originally from Erle-stoke, his Navy exploits included his ship being blown up beneath him.

The son of a postmaster, Mr Fox gained a naval scholarship after being educated at Dauntsey's School. His career began among the fleet at Scapa Flow in Orkney, where the wrecks of the scuttled German First World War fleet were still visible.

After the war, Mr Fox, by this time a chief petty officer, joined the instructional staff at the Royal Navy Petty Officers' School at Kingsmoor near Corsham.

Among his colleagues was Lt Philip Mountbat-ten, shortly to become the bridegroom of the future Queen.

Auctioneers Aldridge and Son will be selling the photographs at their salesroom in Bath Road, Devizes, at 10am on Saturday.