Ted Rouse, MBE, the first leader of Gravesham council who also commanded a unit during the Normandy landings, has died at 95.

In honour of his memory, a minute’s silence will be observed at a full meeting of the council tomorrow night (Tuesday).

Jean Christie, a family friend who was also a fellow Labour councillor in Painters Ash Ward for many years, said: “He and his wife Peggy represented everything that was good about working for the community.”

Mrs Christie, of Fleet Road, Pepper Hill, Northfleet, added: “This is the end of an era. I feel very privileged to have known and worked with him.”

Mr Rouse died at Darent Valley Hospital on December 2. He is survived by Peggy, his wife for 74 years.

The couple had two children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Known as ‘Mr Northfleet,’ Mr Rouse served on the former Northfleet Urban District Council for 24 years until local government reorganisation in 1974 created the borough of Gravesham.

He became leader of the new council for two years and then continued as leader of the Labour group until 1981, being made a freeman of the borough a year later.

Mr Rouse was awarded the MBE in 1978 for his service to the people of Northfleet and Gravesham.

Born in Bermondsey in 1920, he served with the Royal Signals during the Second World War at Bletchley Park’s Enigma decoding location, which broke and deciphered the Nazis naval and army code systems.

At the start of the liberation of Europe from German occupation Mr Rouse commanded an independent mobile unit during the Normandy landings, and was mentioned in despatches for “outstanding services in North West Europe.”

He left the Army as a lieutenant in 1946 and, with Peggy, moved to Northfleet, where they were both very active in the Labour Party.

Together, they organised the Northfleet Old People’s Welfare Committee move from their old premises in Vale Road to a new building, now closed, in Coldharbour Road.

Although always known as Ted, his name was Ernest Joshua Colin Rouse.

Because of his belief in friendship between nations, he was an enthusiastic supporter of the Town Twinning Association and, as a cricket fan, became a long time member of the MCC and Surrey cricket clubs.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be made.