MORE than 100 people gathered in Bassaleg to remember the life of a Royal British Legion stalwart.

The funeral of Charles Evans, 95, took place yesterday afternoon at St Basil's Church, Bassaleg.

Mr Evans was president and chairman of the Bassaleg Branch of the Royal British Legion and had been a member for over 60 years.

His coffin was draped with the Union Flag and the gathering fell silent as the seven branch and county standard bearers led the funeral procession into the church.

The service was led by the church’s lay reader, Hilary Prest.

She told the gathering of over 100 family and friends how Mr Evans was born and raised in Newport, and had left education at 14 to go to work.

When he was old enough he joined the Territorial Army and later The Royal Artillery at the outbreak of World War Two.

In 1945 he met his wife Diana while visiting Bath and he invited her to Wales to see the Brecon Beacons.

The couple set up home in Rogerstone, and had two children, Veronica and Roland, and later the family moved to Bassaleg.

Family life was said to have been very important to Mr Evans, whose hobbies included gardening and he grew vegetables and flowers in an allotment.

He also played the piano and would play at family gatherings and he and Mrs Evans both loved to dance.

Mr Evans, who has four grandsons and three great-granddaughters, also enjoyed carving intricate love spoons.

In recognition of his work with The Royal British Legion, Mr Evans had attended a garden party with Prince Charles.

Mr Evans was a part of the local community and had stepped into the role of Father Christmas at a local play group for 12 years.

During the service, the hymns The Old Rugged Cross and How Great Thou Art were sung.

The moving service came to an end with a minutes silence followed by the sounding of The Last Post.

Mr Evans died on April 30 at his home following a short illness.

Following the church service a cremation was held at Gwent Crematorium.