A FORMER Leominster mayor described as a “true gentleman” has died aged 91.

Dennis Rowland Jones was born in the town’s Corn Square – above what is now WHSmith – where his dad Harry owned an antiques shop in 1923.

The shop and the family moved to Broad Street in 1934, and Mr Jones attended Leominster Grammar School between 1934 and 1940.

He was in the RAF between 1942 and 1945 but took over the family business after the death of his brother Clifford and his parents.

He met his wife, Emily ‘Nan’, who worked for Denby Photographic Studios, next door to his furniture shop.

They married in 1949 and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary earlier this year.

The couple had two sons – Bryan and Andrew – and it was one of the lowest points of Mr Jones’ life when Bryan unexpectedly died from a heart attack in 2004 aged only 53.

Mr Jones joined the Leominster Borough Council as a Conservative councillor in 1946 and was the youngest councillor in England.

He was mayor of Leominster twice, in 1956 and 1957, and had the honour of meeting the Queen and Prince Philip on a state visit to Leominster.

In recognition of his service to the community Mr Jones was awarded the honour of being made an Alderman of the Borough. He retired from being a councillor in 1977.

A family man, Mr Jones loved his wife, children, grandchildren and daughters-in-law.

He died on November 25 after a brief illness.

His son, Andrew Jones, said: “He loved his home town, only having left during his time in the RAF, and he had a belief in Leominster as a town and as a community.

“As a father, dad was my rock, my go-to person for advice he was always there for me and nothing was too much trouble.

“Finally, I would like to say that he was a true gentleman and that is how I will always remember him.”