Generations of athletes will remember a coach who as a young man saved a boy from drowning.

Former Watford Harriers, Verlea AC and Dacorum AC coach Fred Ward died in June aged 93 after a short illness.

A fixture in Hertfordshire sport and a trusted UK Athletics timekeeper, Mr Ward was born in Cairo, Egypt, to a father in the British Army.

Moving to Cyprus as a young man, he later settled there, married and started a family.

In his youth he was a keen swimmer and diver, and once when he was in his 20s he saved a young boy from drowning in the Mediterranean after he was dragged out to sea.

Moving to Hemel Hempstead, England, in 1959, Mr Ward worked at aircraft manufacturer de Havilland an aircraft manufacturer until he took early retirement in 1986 and focused on athletics coaching.

Mr Ward had started coaching when his eldest daughter Teresa became interested in the sport in 1966.

Beginning at the Watford Harriers in Woodside Stadium, he also coached at Verlea AC before becoming one of the founding members of Dacorum AC in 1976.

Mr Ward went to Watford General Hospital in Vicarage Road, for a knee replacement, but unfortunately suffered a heart attack and later developed pneumonia after going into hospital for a knee operation from which he did not recover, Mr Ward. He died on June 24, 2018 at the age 93.

Diane Ratcliffe a vice president of Dacorum and Tring AC said: “Fred was always in demand as a timekeeper for UK Athletics and England athletics, but he would always put the club first, for which we have been truly grateful.

“He was ever present at all schools matches, wherever they were held in the county, and he could always be relied upon to officiate at all the county matches and meetings.

“We are going to miss his expertise, and waiting for him to catch the bus home after matches pulling along his trolley.”

His daughter Lorraine Hudson said: “Dad was always there for us and loved sharing his wealth of knowledge whether that be gardening, driving, car maintenance or budgeting.

“His commitment, strong morals and faith in God have been a defining influence in my life.

“As a family we have been blown away the number and strength of the tributes paid to Dad by the athletics community and amazed by how many lives he has touched.”

“This has made us even more proud of our Dad. We miss him greatly.”

Mr Ward leaves eight children, seven daughters and a son, 18 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.