A DECORATED former deputy colonel of the Green Howards regiment has died, aged 90.

Scarborough-born Geoffrey Powell was awarded the Military Cross for action in the Second World War.

Colonel Powell was first given a commission as a regular officer just before the outbreak of war, in 1939.

After time spent in India, he saw his first serious action at Arnhem.

When 156 Brigade's commanding officer was killed during the battle, he took command of the surviving men, who, under intense artillery fire, held their position for six days.

At the end of the war, the soldier saw the last of the fighting in Java, before serving in Malaya at the beginning of the communist uprising.

He returned to England in 1949, where he served on the staff of Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer.

After returning from service in Kenya in 1959, he left the Army and was given a post with MI5, where he was to remain for the next 12 years, working in London, first on security policy then on counter-espionage.

He was the author of many books and articles, including The History of the Green Howards: Three Hundred Years of Service.

The book was published in 1992 and then updated in 2002, in collaboration with his son, Brigadier John Powell, the current colonel of the Green Howards.

Col Powell retained his links with the regiment throughout his life and was a trustee of the Green Howards Regimental Museum, in Richmond, North Yorkshire.