'Amazing' war veteran dies

POPULAR Ernie Mayall has died aged 92

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THOUSANDS of tributes have flooded in for a popular and well-loved war veteran who frequented Oldham's nightclubs.

Ernie Mayall, from Waterhead, best known for his moves on the dance floor and clubbing in the town centre, has died aged 92.

The great-grandfather of 57, grandfather of 26 and father-of-seven lost his battle with cancer on Saturday after melanoma, a type of skin cancer, spread to his liver.

Daughter Lynne Mayall said: "He was an amazing family man.He was kind and generous and inspirational to many, he will be sorely missed and loved, and will always be in our hearts."

Eldest granddaughter Andrea Kidd, 43, said: "He was there whenever anybody needed him.

"He loved telling the grandchildren stories about the war and even though he repeated them, they loved to hear his stories.

"He made everyone feel they were special."

Ernie was one of five children born to Fred and Eliza - known by family as Annie - Mayall.

He left St Paul's CofE School at 14 to begin an apprenticeship at Failsworth Hats Ltd, now based in Crown Street.

Andrea said: "I don't think he was too keen on the job and was all too happy to join the Navy. When he signed up at 17 he ran all the way home to tell everybody."

Former Able Seaman Ernie, who served on landing crafts at Normandy, received the highest decoration France can bestow, the Legion d'Honneur, this year after comrades at the Royal Naval Association in Shaw encouraged him to apply.

He married Charlotte on New Year's Day in 1947 at Oldham Registrar's Office and they had their eldest son exactly one year to the date after.

They had seven more children in the years which followed, though they endured the death of a twin daughter at birth.

Andrea said: "Once the war was over, he began working as a JCB driver for Greenbooth's Construction Company and was there for 27 years. He loved his job. He worked six days a week and never had a day off until he lost his finger in an accident with machinery at work."

The fit and active pensioner used to swim 50 lengths of the swimming pool up to three times each week right into his 80s.

Andrea said: "He walked into Oldham town centre every day.

"He was involved with Waterhead Rugby Club all his life and used to enjoy a rum with the rugby lads. But he didn't start going out drinking until my grandma passed away in 2010.

"He would have been in Benidorm for the fiesta now but he got too ill."

D-Day veteran Ernie was known as the oldest clubber in Oldham, visiting Liquid and Envy night club every other Saturday for around three years.

He received special treatment at the Retiro Street venue where he was let in for free and allowed to jump queues.

General manager Terry Bruce said: "He is sadly missed by all of us. He almost added a calmness to the night because of his demeanour.

"Hundreds of people have spoken to me about the sad loss.

"Our deepest sympathies go to his family and to those who knew him."

More than £3,000 was raised for The Christie Hospital through a life celebration in September after Ernie was told that the cancer had spread.

Andrea said: "We want to thank Dr Kershaw's for their fantastic home hospice care.

"All of the family took it in turns to visit, care for and spend time with him in the last three weeks. He was courageous and dignified until the end."