HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to the life of a great-granddad who was reportedly one of the first soldiers to cross enemy lines after the Korean war ceasefire.

Abertillery-born, John Cuff, was called up for national service on December 14, 1950 at the age 18, serving with the South Wales Borderers.

When war broke out between North and South Korea, the new recruit served on the front line on behalf of the of the United Nations alongside Canadian troops.

Following Mr Cuff's sudden death this month at 84, daughter Dawn Cuff,51, shared a memento her father was "extremely proud" of from his war years.

The story - passed down through generations - included a gift from the Chinese People's Volunteers Army (CPV) deployed by the People's Republic of China.

As news of cease fire sounded, Ms Cuff explained, her dad heard the name "John" being called and ventured over into enemy lines alone where CPVs gave him a gift - a hand-made velvet banner with yellow word inscriptions.

The words read, "British and Canadian soldiers. You be free from war for ever".

"The CPVs were calling John but they called everyone 'John' and he thought it was for him as it was his name," daughter Dawn said.

"He was the cheeky 21-year-old who went over. He never mentioned Korea to me but did mention the banner. It was his pride and joy".

After being demobbed, Mr Cuff became an engineer, married partner Maureen on March 24, 1956 and settled in the Pontnewydd area of Cwmbran before retiring aged 60.

Ms Cuff explained that it has been a difficult few years for the family following the death of her brother Gary after a cancer battle.

She remembers her dad as a "joker who couldn't take anything serious, even when he was ill".

"He was always cracking jokes, was very sociable and loved going down to the Pontnewydd Working Men's Club and chatting away," she said.

Although the family are "still in shock" over his death, daughter Dawn has created a framed collage of her dads diary entries, medals and old pictures.

The treasured velvet banner that was given to Mr Cuff will also be used in the funeral ceremony and several personal items will be placed in his coffin.

The items - which pay tribute to his "jokey nature" - include a can of beer, a remote control for the TV as wife Maureen could "never get it off him" and one of his favourite cardigans.

A final item includes a miniature bottle of whiskey in reference to a bottle bought for him that has sat un-opened for more than 20 years.

The family plan to "toast to him" in future with the original bottle of whiskey.

Reflecting on her dad's war days, Ms Cuff added: "He was called up into the Army at 18. He was still a child.

"Dad was so humble but he should have been really proud of what he achieved".

Mr Cuff's funeral will be held at the Holy Trinity Church in Pontnewydd at 12noon on Friday, September 29.

This will be followed by burial at Llwyncelyn Cemetery in Cwmbran and a wake at Pontnewydd Working Men's Club.

Mr Cuff is survived by daughter Dawn, a sister, a brother, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.