Businessman and wartime airman.

Born: July 10, 1923;

Died: November 8, 2014.

NORMAN Fidler, who has died aged 91, was a war-time airman who served in bomber and patrol aircraft during the Second World War and later became a successful businessman.

He enlisted in the RAF when he was 19, having developed an interest in aviation from his membership of the Stranraer squadron of the Air Training Corps and taken his first flight over Loch Ryan. Initially, he trained as a ground wireless operator before being posted to RAF Millom in Cumberland, where he volunteered for flying duties by converting to a wireless operator/air gunner.

In April 1944, after finishing his training at RAF Castle Kennedy, close to his home town, he sailed by troopship to Egypt. From there he was posted to No 22 Squadron, South African Air Force, based at RAF Gibraltar.

He flew in SAAF Lockheed Ventura PV1 patrol aircraft, protecting the Atlantic approaches to the western Mediterranean. When his South African colleagues went home, he was posted even further away to RAF Khormskar in Aden (motto: Into the Remote Places). He flew in a variety of aircraft there until leaving the service as a warrant officer in October 1946.

Squadron losses totalled 25 men while he was at Gibraltar. His wireless transceiver was a Bendix model and the radar was the latest air-to-sea type. The crew comprised one pilot, one navigator and three wireless operator/air gunner/radar operators. RAF personnel were carried by the SAAF because the aircraft had a crew of four, but needed a fifth for operational reasons. "All the SAAF crew were officers so we thought we would be commissioned, but this was not to be," Mr Fidler said later.

One day, when an aircraft overshot the short runway at Gibraltar and crashed into the sea, a flight commander ticked off the pilot who had reported brake failure, reminding him of the emergency system whereby one wheel could be locked, turning the aircraft around. He then declared he would demonstrate the manoeuvre the following day. Mr Fidler recalled: "Everyone thought he was very courageous except his crew, who would have to fly with him."

Next morning the plane took off, flew around the Rock then made its approach to land. "I was not flying that morning so was able to join the crowd of onlookers anxious to see this amazing feat," Fidler wrote. However, something went wrong after the aircraft touched down. It hurtled down the runway and there was a loud screech as it turned the wrong way and ploughed into a wall, its nose crumpling like eggshell. Miraculously, there were no casualties. Mr Fidler said later: "Although the scheme had not come off and a plane had been lost, the flight commander's reputation for bravery had been enhanced."

Following an uncomfortable flight when Mr Fidler was worried about a faulty battery charge, he returned and told the South African major in charge that he did not want to fly in the aircraft. He was backed up by his skipper so the frustrated major allocated him a different plane. But later he heard an aircraft was missing, believed lost. "'Which plane was it?' I asked. 'S for Sugar,' I was informed. They must have sent out the plane without having it checked over and a crew of five were lost."

Norman Fidler was born in Leeds, but moved to Stranraer aged 11 and always considered the town his home. Despite high academic performance he was taken out of Stranraer High School to join the family furniture business alongside his father.

He returned to the business after the war but in 1977 it was decided to split the operation, with his brother Stuart taking the shop in Stranraer and Norman the smaller shop in Newton Stewart. Business blossomed, thanks to hard work and excellent staff, and he bought larger premises which he rebuilt and extended, selling furniture there and soft furnishings in the smaller shop.

The firm went from strength to strength despite strong competition, as a result of his strong business acumen and loyal staff. He retired in 1991. He was president of the West of Scotland Home Furnishers Association, having joined in the 1960s.

Fidler believed strongly in helping others and was a committed member of Rotary, where he was a president and recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow. As well as weekly meetings, despite failing health he continued to attend outings including bowling and trips to Belfast, sometimes astounding fellow members with his energy.

His enduring faith and membership of the Church of Scotland gave him strength through many challenging times. He was a Sunday School teacher in St Andrew's Church (now Trinity Church of Stranraer) for many years and was an active elder for half a century. Christian Aid was his favourite charity and in his younger days he played a prominent role in events to raise awareness as well as funds. He also helped the work of the Bible Society and Talking Newspapers.

In 1955, he married Nancy Wither , to whom he was devoted until her death in 2012, and his greatest joy was his family. He accompanied his daughter and grandchildren on annual holidays around Europe and Russia and at least once a year for 20 years to Cally Palace, Gatehouse of Fleet. Age did not weary him; he took scuba diving and jet skiing in his stride and at the age of 71 went paragliding. One year the family holidayed on Malta so he could pay homage to his RAF comrades at the Malta Memorial.

He published a pamphlet about his wartime adventures entitled Aircrew in Wartime: Personal Experiences. Published in 2006 by Stranraer and District Local History Trust, it told of his experiences in Gibraltar and North Africa. He was proud to have served when he did and remained an active member of the Scottish Saltire Aircrew Association, regularly attending meetings with comrades in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dumfries and Moffat.

A popular and gentle man, Norman Fidler was visible and active in his community. His mischievous sense of humour would often see him laughing before the punchline of his own jokes. He enjoyed walking around Stranraer and being greeted by locals, who regarded him with respect and fondness.

He is survived by his daughter Isabel and grandsons Kristian and Robin.

CAMPBELL THOMAS