Wild poppies scattering Dundee Law are legacy of true gentleman Jack

Dundee’s poppy hero Jack Stephen has died just a month before he would have celebrated his 103rd birthday.

His son, Alan, 68, said his dad was a true gentleman who would be missed by many people.

Alan said: “Dad was a great character. He had a wealth of stories to tell and he loved to sing. I never heard him swear and he never had a bad word to say about anyone.”

In 2016, Jack made headlines because he wanted to plant poppies on the Law to commemorate soldiers who had fallen in global conflicts.

He was prepared to spend £100 of his own money to buy poppy seeds.

The Evening Telegraph newspaper drove him up and Jack quietly scattered the seeds on a grassy banking just beside the war memorial.

Jack said at the time: “It’s long been a dream of mine to see wild poppies growing on the banks of the Law in memory of Dundee’s fallen.”

He was delighted when Dundee City Council leader John Alexander willingly accepted his offer.

Alan said that Jack moved to Harestane nursing home last January after suffering flu.

“Dad loved it there and used to sing to the staff and residents,” he said.

“However, he began to fail and a couple of weeks ago he really started going downhill.” He died at the home on Saturday. His family had been at his bedside in the days leading up to his death.

Jack’s funeral will be held at St Joseph’s Church next Wednesday. Those attending are asked to make donations to Jack’s Poppy Appeal.

When the Second World War broke out, Jack was working in the Blackness Foundry and didn’t go to fight because he was involved in making gun beds that were transported for use by the British and Russian armies.

He worked until the age of 82 when he finally retired.

Pre-deceased by his wife, Alice, he is survived by his son, daughter Jacqueline, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dundee poppy hero Jack Stephen has died.