A man who leaves a lasting imprint on Deal’s history through his commitment to the Royal Marines has died aged 73.

Lt Col Richard Dixon, the Commandant of the Royal Marines School of Music at the time of the Deal bombing, died after suffering a short illness on Wednesday, August 10.

His only son Scott, 40, paid tribute to “a gentlemen who everyone in Deal knew and respected.”

He added: “The military was so important to him.

“I remember walking through Deal town with him and everyone acknowledging him saying good morning colonel and tipping their hats at him. I was in awe of my old man who everyone knew and respected.

“He was superb as a father and has two grandchildren that he doted on.

“He would make sure everyone was okay before himself and that’s what he was like in the Corps.

“I’m proud to have been brought up by him and to be his son.”

Before coming to Deal, he was a Royal Marine Commando officer and completed a couple of tours in Northern Ireland and led his troops as a major on HMS Fearless to the Falkland Islands. He was appointed Commandant of the Marines in Deal just seven months before the attack by IRA bombers on September 22, 1989, which left 11 bandsman dead.

On that fateful morning, Lt Col Richard Dixon was following his usual routine, walking his two golden retrievers on the playing fields at the barracks.

It was then, he heard the explosion.

He later described the Royal Marines as “like a family” and the horrors he saw that day were an unimaginable contrast to his routine existence.

After the tragedy, he did a lot of work for charities in supporting the families of the bandsmen along with his wife Tricia, 73.

The couple who were married for 44 years, worked with John Perkins, chairman of the Bandstand Memorial Trust, in raising funds to help and setting up a telephone helpline, which was manned by Mrs Dixon.

It was also Lt Col Dixon’s idea to have the poignant march the following week with the empty spaces for those who were killed, in what his son described as an “act of defiance” against the terrorists.

He added: “When politicians came down to visit Deal he was on hand to talk with PR and press. He did it so well. He always had something to say about the memorial garden and the bandstand.”

Lt Col Dixon retired from the Marines in 1993 aged 50 and was given full colonel honours and a plaque to thank him for his service to Deal.

After his retirement, he still remained a part of Deal’s history. He and his wife moved from their home in Dover Road to Church Path in Deal.

He attended theconcert on Walmer Green every year as a guest of honour and was proud to be there.

In 2002, Lt Col Dixon tirelessly campaigned to have the memorial garden for the Marines maintained by the district council as the Mercury reported he feared it had become a “dump”.

When he became more immobile, his son would drive him to the memorial garden on the anniversary of the bombing so he could attend the annual service.

His family, including wife Tricia and son Scott, grandchildren Caitlin and Max, and Scott’s wife Alexandra, have been touched by all the support and kind words of the community including the 41 Commando which sent a large bouquet of flowers.

He said: “I’m so proud of my amazing father. Now at peace and always in our thoughts.”