THE contribution made by an East Morton Second World War veteran to try and save a historic British army regiment has been recognised.

The funeral of former Duke of Wellington's soldier Dennis Bailey is due to take place in Oakworth on Wednesday (Feb 14). He had died on January 27, aged 99.

Family friend and Keighley Royal British Legion member Mary Lister said Mr Bailey had been a staunch supporter of the campaign to try and save the Duke of Wellington's Regiment from amalgamation 13 years ago.

In 2004 it was announced that "The Dukes" would be merged with two other regiments to form a new Yorkshire regiment. But in becoming the third battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, the unit's original name was saved.

Mrs Lister said: "When we started our campaign we put out an appeal to look for the oldest surviving ex-Dukes and Dennis was one of the four who came forward.

"He supported our campaign right to the end, and was very passionate and proud of it. He came to all our rallies.

"He'll always be remembered for the jokes he used to tell."

During the war, Mr Bailey served in France, North Africa, Sicily and Italy, and was one of the first Allied soldiers into Denmark in early 1945.