TRIBUTES have been paid to a man noted for distinguished wartime RAF service, who has died at the age of 86.
Douglas Hirst Swan, served as a bomber navigator and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during his war service, in which he flew more than 50 missions across enemy territory.
Mr Swan, who worked after the war at Sugarhill School, in Newton Aycliffe until he retired in 1971, lived in Dene Hall Drive, Bishop Auckland.
A friend, Dr Paul Bowron, said: "He had some narrow scrapes and some wonderful stories to tell. He was a private, modest man. You had to know him very well before he started to tell you the details of his war days."
Mr Swan was married to his wartime sweetheart Olive, who died 15 years ago.
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