A stalwart of the Yarmouth community, Ian Francis Dallison, has died, aged 98.

Ian moved to the town in 1992 and quickly became involved in local organisations. He was born and raised in Portsmouth, attending Portsmouth Grammar School. He was in the first intake at Sandhurst after the Second World War, serving in the Royal Engineers, rising to captain, and also spent time in the Suez Canal Zone, in 1950.

Ian married Julie Shea, of Bandon, County Cork, in 1954, and in 1961, he began working for the British Steel Corporation, initially in Wales, then later in London, until his retirement, as inland transport manager.

He was awarded an OBE in 1985 for his role as president of the Freight Transport Association, a position he held for two years.

Following his retirement, and the death of Julie, he moved to Yarmouth, where he was a keen sailor and as well as being an active member of the town’s community.

Ian was a founding member of the Yarmouth Society, where he was chairman for 15 years from 1995, and also served on the Town Trust and Harbour Commission. In 2007, Ian was presented with the Mayor’s Award for his significant contribution to the town. In his spare time, he was a member of the Slipshod Singers.

He was also a member of the Island’s Catenians, a Catholic Men’s Association, receiving a 50-year scroll in a presentation at the Royal Solent Yacht Club in 2018. Previously, he had been a member of mainland groups.

He is survived by his children Susan, Christopher, and Kevin, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.