Tributes to 93-year-old with fascinating past

Walter Burnett died aged 93 on 20 April, 2008 - more than 60 years after he was presumed dead during the Second World War.

Mr Burnett, from Cleethorpes, was taken prisoner by the Germans while serving in North Africa.

His wife Kathleen, who died in 1999, received a telegram informing her that he was missing, presumed dead.

Unbeknown to her, Mr Burnett and his three companions had escaped after seven days when the camp was over-run by Australian troops.

Much to Mr Burnett's amusement, he was still listed as missing three years ago when a Roll of Honour was printed in the Grimsby Telegraph.

His daughter, Dianne Falkingham, contacted the Grimsby Telegraph to confirm he was alive and well, and within a week of the article appearing, Mr Burnett was presented with his War Medal.

Dianne (62), of Revesby Avenue, Grimsby, said: "He was proud of what he had done. I believe all soldiers who fought should get more $. These men did great things when they were young boys."

However, Dianne said her father was reluctant to talk about his experiencesin the war.

Mr Burnett's younger brother, Ronny, who served in the Navy, was killed during the conflict."When I was growing up he never discussed it," she said. "I didn't know hehad been shot twice, I didn't know he had been captured."I know he lost his best friend but even up to two years ago he couldn't talk about him."

Mr Burnett went to war leaving his wife and son Patrick behind. When he returned home to Neptune Street, Cleethorpes - where he lived until two years ago - Patrick, who was aged one when he left, did not recognise his father. Nine months later, Dianne was born.

She said: "I was a celebratory baby!"

After the war, Mr Burnett worked as a truck driver on Grimsby Fish Docks and then became a mechanic. In his retirement, he was lollipop man on Isaacs Hill, Cleethorpes, up to the age of 76.

Mr Burnett was a motorbike and steam train enthusiast, and in later years a keen gardener.

Dianne said: "He went all over the place on his motorbike. Then, when hegave that up, everyone knew him in Cleethorpes for being on a push-bike."He was a lovely man. He had a wicked sense of humour."