FORMER Swindon Advertiser news editor Geoff Harmer has died aged 97.

The great grandfather, who started his journalism career as a cub reporter straight from school, ran the newsdesk for almost 18 years, retiring in November 1984 – 37 years after joining the paper.

A celebration of his life is being held next month in the Forest of Dean where he lived with his family in his later years.

Born in Stroud, he joined the Stroud Journal on an apprenticeship and worked there until the Second World War broke out when he joined the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars.

He was sent out to North Africa as a tank commander and suffered the misfortune of losing two tanks in the fierce fighting before being taken prisoner and shipped to Italy.

When the Italians changed sides he walked out of the prison camp and was hidden for months by an Italian family.

Eventually recaptured by the Germans he spent the rest of the war as a POW.

In 1946 he married Madge and they were together for 67 years before her death. The couple had two daughters, Caroline and Jane, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Athough he loved his job Geoff was also a keen amateur actor and singer, appearing on stage in many roles with groups including Swindon Light Operatic Society, the Western Players and the Adastrians.

He won acclaim as a Shakespearean actor but also enjoyed musicals and drama.

“He was a very funny man. He remained funny up to the day he died. He was always on stage and always performing,” Caroline told the Advertiser.

“He was a churchgoer but actually only because he liked singing hymns.”

Geoff and Madge also found time for music at home – she would play the piano while he sang.

During the 1970s he returned to Italy to see the family that had sheltered him. It was an emotional reunion although Caroline joked: “To hear him talk about his time in Italy it seemed like a gap year.”

Towards the end of his journalistic career he decided to go back to being a reporter. “He had a column called Moonraker and used to go and find interesting people to interview,” she said.

“He just loved his last couple of years. It was right back to his roots.”

After his retirement Geoff continued acting in local productions until age prevented him from being insured. The last time he appeared on stage was when he was 90 in a cameo role.

But he carried on watching shows and when his sight deteriorated he enjoyed talking books and listening to music.

A celebration of his life is being held at the Speec House Hotel on August 4 at 2.30pm.