Alf was ‘a proud and humble man’

After serving in Singapore and India, Flight Sergeant Tye was demobilised at the age of 21 and returned to Kent. He had various jobs and was even involved in the construction of the sea wall barrier between Minni sand Reculver.

He lived above the Red Lion pub in St Peter’s, Thanet, before moving to Perkins Avenue in Margate when he retired.

OAlf was a member of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTHs), where he met Alban Tuohy.

Mr Tuohy, who was given the memoirs by Alf, says his friend was a proud but humble man.

“He was not one for being made a fuss of, but in retrospect, one who lacked the proper, due recognition and caring in his twilight years, like many others who in World War Two served and saved their country from the Nazi onslaught,” he said.

“He was a true gentleman in every respect and was always im maculately dressed.

“He was extremely alert to everything going on around him. His body may have started to show signs of weakening and wear, but his mind was as sharp as razor.”

Alf never married nor had children. Mr Tuohy said: “He divulged to me, somewhat emotively, how he had fallen deeply in love with a particular young lady.

“To him she was everything he felt a female companion should and could be – he was besotted with her. Then on a particular day he got a letter from her ending their relationship.

“It was a defining moment in his life. He never again pursued any close relationship.”

Alf had a fall in 2019 and spent a while in the QEQM Hospital in Margate and then several care homes before moving to the Ramsgate Care Centre, where he died on December 10, aged 94. Mr Tuohy added: “It is a sad indictment on the ‘system’ that he had to be moved around to that many establishments, that many times at such an advanced age.

“His wish was to stay in the Thanet area and at his passing there was to be no fuss, no formal funeral nor fanfare. “And that is how it was.”