Tributes have been paid to a "well-known and loved" Croxley Green man who took part in the D-Day landings. 

Charles Clayton Smith, of Providence Hall, passed away on March 31 aged 102, leaving behind one daughter and four grandchildren.

He saw active service during World War II in France, Belgium and Germany and later returned to Croxley Green where he spent the rest of his life.

Charles’ granddaughters said: “Grandad was a very popular gentleman, well-known and loved by all in his community.

“He was an outgoing, independent man who will be missed dearly.”

Watford Observer: Charles' family said he will be missed dearly.Charles' family said he will be missed dearly. (Image: Contribution)

He was born in Croxley Green in 1921 to Albert and Winifred Smith and was the eldest of 12 children.

Charles went to The Boys School in Watford Road before he left at 14 to learn the bricklaying trade from his father, a master builder.

He joined the army in 1942 and arrived on the beaches of Normandy on June 7, 1944, on the second day of D-Day landings as part of the 11th Armoured Division, 58th Anti-Aircraft Regiment.

After the Battle of Normandy, he served in Belgium and Germany and was part of the British forces who entered the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in April 1945.

He was quoted by his family as saying: “Piles of skeletons, I’ll never forget it and never talk about it.”

Watford Observer: He joined the army in 1942 and saw active service across France, Germany and Belgium.He joined the army in 1942 and saw active service across France, Germany and Belgium. (Image: Contribution)

After the war, he returned to the construction trade in 1946 where he built houses across Rickmansworth and Chorleywood.

Following retirement in the 1980s, he moved to Providence Hall on The Green, Croxley Green, where he was a “well-known local figure”, according to his neighbour of 30 years, David Redman.

David said Charles was an active and “fiercely independent” man, as he still drove his car, which had a personalised  ‘CSS’ number plate, until the week before he passed.

Watford Observer: He is remembered as a good friend according to his neighbour of 30 years.He is remembered as a good friend according to his neighbour of 30 years. (Image: Contribution)

“He was a strong character and very particular, with a good intellect until the end," he added. “He was a good friend and we looked after each other.”

David recalled how Charles would walk into Rickmansworth well into his 90s and was treated to a free coffee every day at the Crazy Goat Café in New Road after he turned 100.

He was often seen sitting in his car in the summer “watching the world go by” and liked to look after his house and garden in his later years.