The respect and affection in which he was held was evident from the large turnout of mourners from both his home town and its rugby club when his funeral was held earlier this month at Trinity Church in Galashiels.

A master painter, decorator and signwriter for more than 50 years, Lees had completed his six-year apprenticeship as a painter/decorator under George Fox. But Lees also had two other jobs – delivering rolls in the morning and being an assistant projectionist at the local cinema, then known as the Playhouse.

During the Second World War, he served with the Royal Engineers, seeing action in Ceylon and as one of the famous 'Desert Rats' in the campaign against Rommel's Afrika Corps. His capture in 1941, however, saw Lees endure the hardship of four-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war.

He had many interests, including the Boys' Brigade, dancing, gardening and stamp collecting.

However, one of his greatest passions was rugby and particularly the local rugby of his own home town.

Lees was heavily involved at all levels of rugby in the town. He devoted a great deal of time to the younger players, giving up much of his free time for the Gala Red Triangle boys' club. It was a source of great pride to Lees that many of those players who started out with the Red Triangle during his involvement with the club went on to to be capped for Scotland.

Lees had the support of his wife, Hilda, who had the unenviable job of washing all the jerseys – and his van was even used to transport the boys, as well as committee members, to and from matches. He also helped to raise funds for the Red Triangle, organising dances and other social events.

It was the mark of the man that for all the tireless work and effort he put into helping rugby in the town, he never expected anything in return, except the pleasure of seeing youngsters enjoying the sport he himself loved.

Away from the rugby pitches of Netherdale, Lees and Hilda also loved Scottish country and ballroom dancing. And many enjoyable hours were also spent in his garden – Lees was renowned for the prize onions he cultivated, many of which were exhibited at the town's Fifth Ward Flower Show each year.

Among his favourite hobbies was stamp collecting, which he started when he was just nine years of age. He was an ex-president of the Border Philatelic Society and took great joy in giving presentations on his collection.

Lees was a member of the choir at Ladhope Church. He also took on a leadership role as an elder, caring for the folk in the congregation.

His funeral service was conducted by the Rev. Morag Dawson who told mourners that the service was a celebration of Lees' life, a life that he had embraced to the full and gave so much of himself in helping others.

Lees's wife Hilda died several years ago and the couple are survived by their four sons (Bruce, Robbie, Andrew and David), three daughter-in-laws and seven grandchildren.