The son of a serviceman who died young has repaid a 63-year-old debt of gratitude to the RAF Association.

Paul Ryder was just 10 when his father RAF Warrant Officer Charles ‘Jim’ Ryder died in 1952.

A wireless operator and rear gunner, he had flown in Sunderland flying boats with Coastal Command during the Second World War but, having survived the conflict, was struck down by cancer aged only 31.

Struggling to pay for Paul’s school uniform, his widowed mother Violet turned to RAFA for a helping hand and now he has repaid the favour by donating £100.

Mr Ryder, 73, from Gillingham, said: “We lived in a prefab in Chelsea and in the year after my dad died I was about to start secondary school at Buckingham Gate Central School, not far from Buckingham Palace. My mum was really struggling at the time.

“I don’t know what would have happened if she had not been given the grant. Money was different then. It was only about a fiver, but it was enough to pay for my uniform and my gym kit and that sort of thing.

“I’m 73 now but I’ve never forgotten it. That’s why I’m glad to give the association the chance to help someone else out.”

Retired silver engraver Mr Ryder moved from Chelsea to Gillingham 50 years ago but was unaware at the time of Medway’s connection to his father’s career.

He added: “My father flew in Sunderlands based at Pembroke Dock in Wales, but the aircraft were originally built in the Short Brothers’ factory at Rochester, on the Medway. They used to test them out by flying them up the river.”

Mr Ryder’s mother died in December 2014, and he was able to make his donation after receiving the proceeds of her small life insurance policy.

In his letter to the association he wrote: “I know you will put this to good use in helping someone who has found themselves in a similar situation as my family. Many belated thanks from the son of Warrant Officer CJ Ryder (Coastal Command).”

For more information on leaving a gift to the RAF Association in your will, please contact the RAF Association on 0116 268 8791 or email vinny.manak@rafa.org.uk