A FORMER Royal Marine who served during the Second World War has died at the age of 92.

Stanley Gunter, From Cwmbran, joined the Royal Marines in 1940, stationed at Lympstone, Exmouth.

In 1942, he was stationed in Gibraltar as their ship, HMS Nelson, had been torpedoed and was being repaired.

While there, the Marines were tasked with secretly attacking the Rock of Gibraltar to identify any weak security points.

Next, Mr Gunter was a part of the operation to get supplies into Malta.

In 1944, his ship was stationed off the shores of Normandy, tasked with bombarding German defences on land. The ship was damaged, so was sent to Philadelphia, USA, for repairs. While there, Mr Gunter helped transport prisoners to Canada.

While on leave, Mr Gunter met Irene, from the Swansea Valley, who was serving as a Land Girl. They married in 1944.

He wanted to stay in the service after the war.

However, he had been caught in a bomb blast while stationed in Portsmouth, resulting in him losing his hearing in one ear, so he was deemed medically unfit.

He undertook a seven-year apprenticeship in carpentry with a coffin maker, before moving into construction.

He was site manager and oversaw the construction of Llanwern steelworks, Newport.

The couple and daughters Veronica, Cherryl, Frances and Katherine, moved to Cwmbran in the 1960s.

Daughter Veronica Ramsden said: “My father was a very intelligent man and enjoyed crosswords.

“He died on June 2, and he would have been pleased with going out on such a special occasion as the 60-year anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.”

The grandfather of nine and great-grandfather of 11 received an award from Torfaen council for services to the community.

His funeral will take place tomorrow, with a service at 1.30pm at St Gabriel’s Church, Cwmbran, followed by cremation at Gwent Crematorium.