He died on January 11 and the popular war veteran will be missed by many. Bill was in the Royal Engineers and part of the historic Operation Varsity, which led to Allied troops securing victory on the ground, and taking control of crucial German towns, villages and strongholds. After the army he was in Cumbria Constabulary for 31 years, reaching position of police inspector. Mr Pearson had the rare ability to be able to transcend the age gap and get on just as well with both the young and old. One of Bill’s friends, Richard Ashcroft, said: “He was an absolutely incredible man. Very astute and very switched on and incredibly articulate. Just a really decent man.