Bradford on Avon-born Colin Holloway Keen died on April 3, a month away from his 100th birthday.

Born on May 3, 1913, as a boy he moved to Holt with his parents and two older sisters, and attended Trow-bridge Grammar School.

On leaving school he was employed by Beavans Tannery in Holt, working his way up to manager, where he worked alongside his sister Margaret’s accountant husband Ernest.

Aged 23 he married Edna May Young, an apprentice in a shop in Bath. When war broke out he was involved in the production of gloves for aircrew, and while doing this he developed the use of fireproof additives in the dressing of leather, so reducing the risk of burns for fliers.

After the war he ran the Neston Glove Company, before going into business on his own and retiring in his 40s. A hard worker, he kept up with various other projects, dabbling in property, and stocks and shares.

He had four children, Pauline, Paul, Roger and Nicholas, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was especially proud that two of his sons followed him into the leather industry, with Paul making sheepskin coats and Roger managing Reynolds & Kent the glovemakers in Westbury.

A keen sportsman well into his later years, he played badminton until he was 89.

He died at Woodside Nursing Home in Bath, and his funeral will be held at Haycombe Crematorium today at 3.15pm. Donations in his memory can be made to Help the Aged, via Clarkson Funeral Directors on 01225 426822.