TRIBUTES have been paid to a Cwmbran man who completed 32 missions in a Lancaster bomber during the Second World War.

Ralph Cooke, 91, who was originally from Rotherham, served as a flight engineer with 57 Squadron and 189 Squadron in RAF Bomber Command.

As a Flight Engineer, Mr Cooke was responsible for the aircraft’s engine and other systems during operations.

Although he rarely talked about what he witnessed during the war, Mr Cooke wrote up his experiences in his private log book.

Following the end of the war, he moved to Italy where he worked as a lorry driver. He returned to his native Rotherham and went on to meet his future wife, Dorothy, on holiday in Newquay and Cornwall in 1950.

The pair got married in 1955 and were due to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary at the end of this month.

They relocated to Monmouthshire when Mr Cooke took up a job in the insurance office of Monmouthshire County Council in 1960.

A devoted family man, Mr Cooke had one daughter, Helen, and having never forgotten the skills he developed in the RAF, he would be often found fixing things around the house or playing on his flight simulator.

Paying tribute, his wife, Dorothy, 92, said: “He was a very honest man and a true gentleman. He was a really special guy.

“Family was the main thing in his life. He was a home bird. He was devoted to his family and his family were devoted to him.

“He had a very enquiring mind and an adventurous spirit. He thought his time in the RAF was the best time of his life despite the dangers and near misses.

“If anything was broken, he would spend days mending it. If he hadn’t the tool, he would make it. That was his skill from the RAF coming into play. He didn’t talk about it very often. We should’ve asked.

“He will be greatly missed.”

Mr Cooke’s daughter, Helen Blight, 58, from Newport added: “He was a fantastic father. He could make anything and mend anything.

“He was a brilliant man, I learnt so much from him.”

Mr Cooke died in the Royal Gwent Hospital on August 21 after suffering a fatal stroke on July 21. He is survived by his daughter Helen, grandson Nick and great grandson Joshua.

Mr Cooke’s funeral will take place at the Gwent Crematorium at 12pm tomorrow (Weds). Family flowers only. Donations in lieu may be given at the service for D5 East, Acute Stroke Unit, Royal Gwent Hospital.

His family would like to thank all the staff at the Royal Gwent Hospital for the care and attention they gave Mr Cooke.