Former Telegraph & Argus columnist Andy Broadfoot has died aged 79.

Mr Broadfoot, who had run away at the age of 14 to join the Royal Navy, wrote for the T&A’s Ex-Servicemen’s weekly column during the 1990s.

Mr Broadfoot’s son Scott Broadfoot said his father loved his time writing for the T&A and, despite leaving the Navy in the 1950s, never lost his passion for the Services and the sea.

During his time in the Navy he served during the Korean War and was on HMS Cardigan Bay and HMS Jamaica, travelling widely through the Far East.

His son said: “Dad had lots of stories to tell about his time at sea. He was a signal man with the lights and flags. Stories included the time he had to wave his ship off – because he’d missed it! He was quite a character.”

After his Naval service, Mr Broadfoot returned to Dudley Hill, Bradford, where he had grown up and started his own bread delivery service, selling loaves to homes around the Sutton and Holme Wood estates.

He then became manager of Bramall’s car and van hire in Tong Street and moved in the 1980s to Trans-Hire in Bradford.

When he retired he volunteered helping youngsters read at Dudley Hill Primary School and kept up his involvement with the Naval Association.

“Dad loved all the meetings and reunions and enjoyed the beer. He was a loud character and always had something to say. He loved writing for the T&A,” said Scott, who still lives in Bradford.

Mr Broadfoot, who began to suffer vascular dementia six years ago, leaves his wife Ann, daughters Shona, Andrea, Denya, Fiona and son Scott. He also had nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His funeral took place in Dumfries, Scotland, where he retired to be closer to his wife’s family 14 years ago.