Firefighters are to salute an old colleague as his coffin is driven past his former station.

Robert Hodgson had been a retained fireman at Sheerness for 15 years.

His daughter Lisa Pullen said: "He was in attendance at a large fire at Kemsley paper mill as well as being on call for many hours during the floods which used to hit Sheerness, even to the detriment of not being home when his own house was flooded."

After leaving the service he continued to be an active supporter and fundraiser for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund, now the Firefighters Charity. He received commendations for this and an invitation by The Queen to attend the Golden Jubilee of the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund celebrations at the Guildhall, London in 1993.

His hearse is expected to stop outside Sheerness station in the High Street at 10.15am on Friday en route to a burial at Sheerness Cemetery at Halfway.

Mr Hodgson died at Medway Maritime Hospital on April 10 after a short illness. He was 81.

He was born on February 25, 1938, in Liverpool and for the first few years of his life lived at Fazakerley Cottage Children's Home with his sister Rose until he was fostered at the age of eight.

He joined the army for his National Service and stayed on to do duty in Cyprus. On his return he was stationed at the Sheerness Garrison in Blue Town where where he met and married Patricia Wheeler. After a divorce, he met his long-term partner Marion Rowbottom.

Mr Hodgson worked as a shunter at the Sheerness Steel Mill but had to take early retirement after losing his left leg below the knee from gangrene.

He was often seen cycling around the Island until a rare cancer of the pupil in his left eye stopped him. But he proved to DVLA he was still safe to drive his car. He loved to watch war and period drama DVDs and enjoyed military band music.

He leaves three children, four granddaughters, four grandsons and five great grandchildren.

The funeral service is by Co-op Funeralcare. A memorial service will be held later when allowed.

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