War hero and former County Press reporter, Ian Gordon, has died at the age of 95.

Born on June 24, 1925, to John and Sarah Gordon, Ian grew up in Chorlton-cum-Hardy Manchester.

He attended Chorlton Municipal Grammar School for Boys who were briefly evacuated as a whole school at the start of the war, before leaving at 16 to start work as a copy boy at the Daily Telegraph in Manchester.

He then became a junior reporter for The Manchester City News, beginning a career in journalism spanning almost 50 years.

He received his calling up papers as his 18th birthday approached, joining the Royal Navy in 1943; on discovering during his medical that he was colour blind and given his ‘good education’ he was signed up as a coder and sent off to Butlins Skegness, which had been commandeered for initial training and kitting up of new recruits.

After an initial mistaken drafting to the decommissioned HMS Shikari, Ian was drafted to HMS Vectis based at Cowes followed by HMS Mastodon at Exbury Gardens with Assault Group 1 Communications, Force J.

On return from Operation Neptune as part of the initial assault phase of D-Day, Ian was on board HMS Lawford when she was sunk by enemy aircraft while coming to anchor off Gold Beach (Arromonches).

He was subsequently drafted to HMS Tunsberg Castle, joining the Arctic Convoy to form a group with the Eglantine and two minesweepers to carry out various tasks on the Finnmark Coast, a hazardous expedition planned to support the needs of the people of Batsfjord.

The Tunsburg Castle was hit by a mine and also sunk, with Ian narrowly escaping thanks to Tony Enger, with whose daughter, Silvi, Ian was able to meet many years later during a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords.

The heroic efforts of those involved in the Arctic Convoy were recognised in 2013 with the Arctic Star Medal given by the Russian Embassy.

Ian served in the navy until 1948, spending time in Sri Lanka, India and Singapore before returning to civilian life and his job at Manchester City News.

It was during this time that he met his beloved wife Joan, marrying the same year. They welcomed their son, Robert, in 1958 and their daughter, Margaret, arrived in 1963. Robert, their beloved son lost his life to mental illness at the age of 25.

Some newspapers later, Ian joined Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in Cheshire as a sub-editor/reporter then editor where he worked for 27 years before continuing as freelance.

Ian and Joan decided to relocate to the Isle of Wight in 1987, joining other family members where Ian joined the County Press as a senior reporter with his first weekend on call coinciding with the 1987 hurricane.

Ian and Joan were an active part of the Shanklin-Sandown Golf Club, where Ian played until well into his 90s, enjoying both the game and the social aspects of membership.

Ian was an active member of the Royal Naval Association, IOW branch, where he was held in high regard by his shipmates who were able to visit him on his birthday last year much to his delight.

The family extended their gratitude and thanks to the Old Charlton Home in Cowes for their care and love of Ian over the last two years.

Ian is survived by his wife, Joan, their daughter Margaret and two granddaughters Melissa and Sophie.

The funeral will be held at All Saints' Church, Newchurch, on Monday, January 18, at 1pm. Due to the current restrictions, any who would like to attend should contact William Hall Funeral Directors for more information.

Family flowers only but donations can be made via William Hall to Mind, the mental health charity.

A family spokesman said: "As we cannot have a wake, we would like to invite you to raise a glass at 3pm in his memory in your homes (whiskey optional!)."

Alan Marriott, editor of the County Press said: "I was lucky enough to work with Ian and knew him as a gentleman and a great professional. His ex colleagues all feel the same about him."