Tributes have been paid to a “brilliant” former serviceman.

Fred Langworthy, chairman of Sittingbourne and Milton Regis Royal British Legion (RBL), died on Saturday May 24 aged 67.

As organiser of the charity’s annual poppy appeal, he helped raised thousands of pounds for its members.

Mr Langworthy from Church Road, Tonge, was due to retire as chairman later this year having served for 15 years.

His wife, Pat, said: “Fred was just a brilliant man.

“He always put other people first and was proud of the money he raised for the Legion.
“If it wasn’t for him, they wouldn’t have raised half the money they did.”

Mr Langworthy, a father-of-three and grandfather-of-seven, served 26 years in the Army.

He joined aged 15 and during his tenure, took part in “three or four tours” of Northern Ireland.

His military career, which came to an end in 1986, also saw him based in Borneo, Singapore and Germany.

Upon leaving the Army, he worked at Brompton Barracks in Gillingham as a mechanic.

Mr Langworthy and his wife were married in 1971, having met four years earlier.

He had been diabetic for 37 years, and despite suffering a number of illnesses before his death, his wife said he continued to remain “active”.

Jim Grieve, membership secretary of Sittingbourne and Milton Regis RBL, called Mr Langworthy an “ardent” supporter of the Legion.

He said: “As well as coordinating the poppy appeal, Fred used to visit schools, clubs and other places to talk about the RBL, its foundations and what it stands for.

“He also helped maintain the garden of remembrance in Tonge, bringing in trees from world war battlefields.

“He was a good chap who spoke his mind and was a very hands-on chairman.”

A date for Mr Langworthy’s funeral has yet to be set.