TRIBUTES have been paid to the president of Darwen’s Royal British Legion branch, who has died aged 78.

James Bryan Thompson, known as Bryan, dedic-ated decades of his life to helping ex-servicemen of the town, and fought for better memorials.

The former military policeman was described as “the backbone of the branch”, by fellow legion members.

His wife Brenda said: “He loved the work he did in the legion, it was his real passion and I couldn’t keep up with it!

“He was very interested in helping charities out and everyone came to him for help. They’re all wondering who to go to now he’s no longer here.”

Mr Thompson was in the military police for two years during his National Service, before returning to a job in the textile industry.

From 1963 to 1968 he and Mrs Thompson plus their two young sons Robert and Ian lived in South Africa where Bryan tau-ght locals the skills of the textile trade. On their return to England, Mr Thompson took up a job as hospital porter at Queens Park Hospital, Blackburn, and retired 10 years ago.

During his presidency at the RBL, he led the town’s Poppy Appeal, which rai-sed tens of thousands of pounds annually.

He also pushed Black-burn with Darwen Coun-cil bosses for a new memorial for servicemen and women who died after 1945.

Coun Trevor Maxfield, a branch member, said: “Bryan led the branch with passion and dedica-tion. He was the backbone of the branch and it is a great loss to everyone involved to learn of his death.”

Member Peter Bond said: “He was a special bloke. He was the branch – without him, it would have gone.”

Mr Thompson, of St Philip’s Court, Blackburn, died on February 13 at the Royal Preston Hospital.

A funeral service is at St Lukes, Blackburn, on Wednesday at 10.15am followed by cremation at Pleasington.