Kenneth Lindsay Hughes, a retired Squadron Leader with the RAF has died in Canada aged 96.

Born in Ramsey to parents Joseph and Mable Jane, Mr Hughes had four brothers and sisters and was educated at King William’s College where he excelled in rugby, cricket and choir.

From there, he went on to have a remarkable career in the RAF which included being base commander at Bitter Lake, Egypt and deputy commander at Eastley, Kenya.

Mr Hughes flew with Squadron 511 during the Berlin Air Lift where he logged more than 500 flying hours between June 1948 and September 1949.

Following this he went on to the Empire Training School where he trained pilots in flying formations and aerobatics.

In 1962, Mr Hughes was contracted by the Kuwait Air Force to work as a training instructor for jet aircraft before he returned to the UK for a final posting with the Air Ministry. He hung up his wings in 1964.

In 1964, Mr Hughes moved with his family to Canada, where in 1943, he had learned to fly in Virgin, Manitoba.

While in Canada, he moved into the insurance industry as an agent, then manager and subsequently general agent in Burlington with Trans America.

It was here he met Evelyn McMillan. The two were married for 33 years before Mr Hughes death.

During their marriage, Mr and Mrs Hughes travelled the world and visited the island on several occasions.

His family said he was a ’gentleman, well respected by all who met him’.

They added: ’He will be remembered with love and admiration for the gentleman he was and his ability to touch everyone he met.’

Mr Hughes is survived by Evelyn, stepson Kenneth, sister Margaret, brother Geoffrey, daughter-in-law Donece and nieces and nephews around the world.