A war hero from East Budleigh has died at the age of 98 at Firs Residential Home in Budleigh.

Reg Chave was born in Taunton on March 25, 1925 to parents Aurthur and Eva Chave and, following in his father's footsteps, he served in the Armed forces with the Devonshire Regiment, landing in Normandy during WWII.

Reg was awarded a French Legion D'Honnour Medal for his service in the conflict.

After the war, Reg became a carpenter when he met his wife of 50 years Muriel Chave who sadly passed away in 2012. Reg also worked for Clinton Devon Estates for many years as a carpenter. 

Reg and Muriel had three children together and lived in Yettington for a short time before happily settling in East Budleigh village for around 45 years until Muriel's passing in 2012, after which Reg remained in the village for another 10 years.

Reg was very well known in the village and loved football playing for East Budleigh, where his mother was the club's secretary. Reg was hospitalised in December 2022 & sadly passed away peacefully in the Firs Budleigh Salterton on July 20.

Details are still yet to be confirmed regarding Reg’s funeral.