THE widow of retired army major general Mike Swindells has spoken of the moment she realised he was in trouble in the sea in Italy.

Prue Swindells, now at home in Devizes, revealed that her 85-year-old husband was not a strong swimmer but had been determined to go into the sea off the island of Elba on Tuesday, October 13.

She said: “The beach was just down from the swimming pool of our hotel. I heard him shouting for help and I ran screaming along the beach trying to get people to help. There were no life guards.”

Her calls were answered by a young couple from Germany and Switzerland who had been cycling with their children.

Mrs Swindells said: “They were fantastic and went rushing into the sea but I think by the time they got to him it was too late.

"A Swiss lady was very upset that they could not have done more. But they were incredible and I can’t thank them enough for helping. They had three little girls with them and they had to watch it all.”

There were suggestions Mr Swindells might have suffered a heart attack but his wife believes the undertow was too much for him.

She said: “He was very fit for his age and had been for a long walk in the hills the day before. He wasn’t the best swimmer but he was very competitive and that might have been why he decided to go into the sea that day.”

Mr Swindells went for a swim at about 3.30pm near the seaside town of Marina di Campo, in front of their accommodation at the Hotel Monticristo.

After he was dragged from the water resuscitation efforts were made by volunteers from the Red Cross but he was pronounced dead. The couple had been visiting German friends who have a house in Italy.

The family are still waiting for his body to be flown back from Italy before they can make full funeral arrangements but expect him to be buried alongside his son Adam in Pewsey followed by a thanksgiving service at St John’s Church, Devizes.

A military memorial service organised by his cavalry regiment 9th and 12th Royal Lancers is likely to be held in the new year.

The couple moved to Wilcot, near Pewsey, after Mr Swindells retired from the army and began working for the Army Benevolent Fund. They ran a bed and breakfast business in the village for about ten years and he was a strong supporter of the village church.

They moved to Devizes about eight years ago and celebrated their diamond wedding this summer.

Mrs Swindells, who is an accomplished artist who has taken part in Marlborough Open Studio events, is the sister of broadcaster Mark Tully.

She said: “He really loved Devizes and always went to the 8am service on a Sunday at St John’s, Church.”

Mr Swindells’ daughter Doey said: “He was the sort of man who always had a twinkle in his eye. He was adored by all of his grandchildren. People have told us he was interested in everybody.”

He also loved walking his whippet Didi.

The funeral will be organised by Dianne Mackinder of Marlborough.