JOE Dutton-Wells may have been born in London and spent his latter years in Australia but he always identified himself with the Fens.

He was born in London in 1936 but was evacuated to March during the Second World War aged four.

Joe stayed in Fenland after the war and aged 15 tried to join RAF but his plans were scuppered by Rheumatic Fever.

When he recovered he did his national service in Bracknell.

Joe worked as a telegraphist on the railway and served as a special constable.

He moved to Adelaide with his wife Pam and two young daughters Vicki and Sharon in 1967, but returned to March several times, most recently in 2004.

Joe was a keen sportsman who played football and cricket for the British Railway Staff Association, but fishing did not come so naturally in him.

Mick Dutton-Wells, his younger brother, said: “I can remember the day he got a new fishing rod. He didn’t catch any fish but he caught me on the lip, which required a trip to the doctors.”

Mick paid tribute to his late brother.

He said: “Joe was a very likeable person who never had any enemies.

“He will be very missed by his brothers Terry, Peter and I, his wife Pam, daughters Vicki and Sharon, grandchildren Rhys and Alastair, his nieces Carol, Anna and Karly and their families.”