A museum volunteer who always enjoyed being kept busy will make his final journey behind the old fire engine he lovingly helped maintain.

The funeral of Ian Strudwick, who looked after the Hertfordshire Fire Museum collection in Watford with Roger Middleton, will take place at West Herts Crematorium on Friday and the cortege will be led by the 1937 Leyland fire engine he helped crew.

Ian, of Nightingale Road, Bushey, used to serve as a sub-officer at the town’s former retained fire station. He had long-standing interest in the fire service and joined the museum after a career spanning more than 40 years as an electrical engineer.

Watford Observer: Ian loved planning and taking holidaysIan loved planning and taking holidays (Image: June Strudwick)

Roger said: “Ian came to the fire museum over ten years ago when we were still at the Whippendell Road station. He brought with him a wealth of technical and mechanical knowledge from his previous occupations – extremely useful particularly in looking after the 1937 Leyland fire engine.

“He took great delight in crewing the appliance with me when we attended the various events we were asked to go to.

“He could turn his hand to anything in the museum, particularly when we moved into the new building in the Lower High Street.

“His banter and bonhomie will be missed as will his ever-willing nature – even when some tasks were laborious and rather dirty!

“I will always remember him, as others will, shown in the [fire engine] photo.”

Watford Observer: Ian in the manager's dugout at Watford FCIan in the manager's dugout at Watford FC (Image: June Strudwick)

Born in Watford and raised in Croxley Green, Ian served his apprenticeship at Wemco in Whippendell Road before his career saw him involved in the design of many major building projects including hangers at Heathrow Airport, prisons and hospitals.

Remembering her husband as someone who “couldn’t keep still”, Ian’s wife June explained that after retiring he carried on working with the Bank of Scotland doing small jobs and was also a leader of a Hertfordshire walkers group.

Ian’s DIY capabilities stretched to designing the extension on the family home and he loved nothing more than planning and taking holidays – the couple owned a holiday home in Mudeford, Dorset, until last year.

“He was so hands on all the time and I will miss him terribly,” said June. “He was just a doer.”

Ian died on December 24 at the age of 81. He is survived by wife June, children Louise and Andrew, and grandchildren Poppy May, Isobella and Chloe.