A FORMER Bolton resident and holder of the British Empire Medal has died, aged 69, in Australia.

Cyril Smith, who was brought up in Horwich and received the BE Medal in July 1954, died suddenly after spending a short time in hospital earlier this month.

In 1975, the father-of-two and his wife Lily moved to Melbourne, where he worked as a cabinet maker.

Mr Smith, who had six grandchildren, was presented with the prestigious medal for his gallantry and courage when he was Senior Aircraftmen at the RAF Station in Acklington.

He averted what could have become a major fire after an explosion during a refuelling exercise.

But his mother knew nothing about the award until she was contacted by the Bolton and Horwich Journal later that year.

One of Mr Smith's oldest friends, Norman Laithwaite, said: "I knew him for two years myself before I discovered he had been awarded the medal.

"He was very quiet and self-effacing, so it's no surprise his mother knew nothing about the medal.''

Mr Smith became pals with Mr Laithwaite and his wife Audrey when they lived near one another in Horwich and the families kept in touch for the next 45 years.

Mr Laithwaite, of Heavily Grove, added: "Cyril's death has devastated us because he was always in such good health and one of my daughters stayed with him only last year in Australia.''

Mr Smith trained as a pattern maker at Horwich Loco before enlisting with the RAF.

The keen angler, who was a member of Dobson and Fishing Club, moved to Ironbridge, in Shropshire, where he worked as a foundry manger in his thirties.

His wife Lily died 12 years ago.