TRIBUTES have been paid to a war veteran, scout and charity founder from Southend who has died.

Kenneth ‘Ken’ Crowe, 84, was well-known for his work with the Scout Association, Fair Havens Hospice and the help gave young people with learning disabilities.

Following his honeymoon in the 1950s he moved to work at the headquarters of the Scout Association in London where he helped to arrange the annual St George’s Day service at Windsor Castle - and was responsible for overseas contacts and accompanying the Chief Scout Charles Maclean abroad to Scout Jamborees, as well as organising the Jamborees in the UK.

Speaking about his father, Jonathan Crowe said: “He loved this job, which included responsibilities for training and resourcing the team of staff and volunteers, helping members of the public seeking advice on their problems and services available.

“Although there were many good organisations and charities in Southend already, Kenneth had the knack of seeing people’s needs, and finding ways to help set up new organisations to meet those needs.

“He was involved in setting up Southend Association for Voluntary Services, Southend Voluntary Workers Bureau, the Zimbabwean Network and Southend Christian Counselling Service, and local branches of Surestart and CRUSE Bereavement Care.”

Born in Edith Road, Southend, in 1935, Mr Crowe was evacuated to Derbyshire during the Second World War. He attended Chalkwell Junior School and Westcliff High School for Boys upon his return.

He then served in the Royal Air Force in Germany and was always keen to be involved in scouting. While in Germany, he set up a cub pack for the children of forces families.

He was discharged from the RAF at the end of his National Service in June 1957 and married his partner Barbara in September 1957.

Ken and Barbara had three children - Jonathan, Debbie and Stephen. He left the scouting job in 1972 and began work for Southend Citizens Advice Bureau and Guild of Help.

After the birth of Stephen with Down’s syndrome in 1964, Ken and Barbara were inspired to become involved in helping to shape services for people with learning disabilities in the town.

Ken served for a lengthy period as secretary of Mencap and was the driving force behind setting up the Mencap Homes Foundation, which provided community-based housing for people with learning disabilities.

After 12 years, Ken applied for the newly created role of administrator at Fair Havens Hospice, of which Barbara was a founder member of the board of trustees.

He retired aged 65 in 2000, and later that year he was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Southend.

Jonathan added: “Throughout his life, Kenneth was a committed Christian with a strong faith, which he lived out as a member of Avenue Baptist Church, where he took on many roles and organised many events.

“He was a popular and much-loved member of the church and will be greatly missed by many. A life very well lived.”

A service of thanksgiving for Ken’s life at Avenue Baptist Church, Milton Road, Westcliff at 2pm on Friday, November 15.