A highly decorated Second World War hero who was a leading figure in the Bradford wool trade has died aged 87.

Lawrence Curtis served as an RAF wireless operator with Bomber Command, which lost 55,000 air crew and survived more than 70 operations. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and bar.

A fly-past by part of the Battle of Britain commemorative flight is due to follow his funeral on Friday as a mark of respect.

Mr Curtis joined the RAF at the age of 18 in 1939 and became a squadron leader with the 617 “Dambusters” squadron.

He joined the squadron in 1943 following the raids on May 16 and 17 which used bouncing bombs to destroy dams in the Ruhr Valley, Germany, in which 56 RAF air crew died.

Mr Curtis participated in the search for the Bismarck and took part in attacks on the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. In 1944 he took part in the attacks which sank the German battleship Tirpitz.

Also in 1944, during an attack on the Antheor Viaduct in France, his aircraft was hit by flak on a low level marking run and Mr Curtis used his skills to help navigate the aircraft to an Allied air base in Sardinia, where it made an emergency landing.

During an operation to Berlin his aircraft was hit twice by flak before reaching the target. A flak shell burst immediately beneath the aircraft, all four engines stopped and the aircraft started to spiral downwards. The crew prepared to jump, but one engine picked up again, followed by the other three.

He left the RAF in 1946 and studied textiles at Leeds University before entering the Bradford wool trade.

After extensive experience in the international wool business, he formed his own company, Curtis Wools, in 1969, a wool merchanting and processing business based on Canal Road.

He was eventually joined in the firm by his three sons Ian, Simon and Martin. The business continues to trade and owns Howarth Scouring Co, which is one of the largest processors of cross-breed wools in Europe.

Mr Curtis continued to work well beyond retirement age. After he finished with the business he studied French at Shipley College and was also a keen gardener.

Mr Curtis was a keen motor sport enthusiast and a regular participant in the Harewood hill climb along with his sons. His youngest grandson, Tom, 23, is a professional golfer.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, a former Bradford councillor, their three sons and three grandchildren.

The funeral is at St Barnabas Church, Weeton, near Harrogate, at 10am on Friday.

e-mail: chris.holland @telegraphandargus.co.uk