A WELL-known veteran Scout leader has fulfilled his life's motto and 'left this world a better place.'

Known as 'Nunc' after his boyhood Scoutmaster, Chris Ruffe BEM, from St Guthlac Street, Hereford, died last week after a short illness, aged 87.

The well-loved community man was known by thousands through his lifetime in the Scouting movement, and as a swimming instructor for the elderly.

His achievements were honoured in 1988 when he was awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year's Honours List.

Medals

The honorary Scout leader, who proudly re-founded the original 1st Herefords, has also been awarded the Services Award, the Silver Acorn and the Medal of Merit.

His legendary camp-fire blanket has been sewn with 700 badges, won since he joined the movement as a young Hereford Wolf Cub in 1922, and will be draped over his coffin at his funeral tomorrow (Friday).

He leaves children, Christopher, Stuart and Sharon, wife Dorothy, daughters-in-law Sue and Christine, son-in-law Raymond and grandchildren Daniel, William, Julia and Jonathan, who remember a very warm and fun-loving man.

Christopher said: "People always found it a pleasure to have met dad because they always came away feeling better."

Born on March 21, 1914, he was educated at Lord Scudamore School. He started work at 15 at a grocers in Hereford before being taken on by a Monmouth butcher. He then moved to London where he was employed as a window dresser.

His adventurous spirit saw him join the RAF in Aberdeen and he quickly worked his way up to the rank of sergeant.

He showed tremendous courage when stationed in the Middle East as a physical training instructor and was presented with a bravery award after searching a burnt plane in the desert for survivors.

Swimming

He came back to Hereford when he was de-mobbed in 1945 aged 31.

"He used to visit Marks & Spencer, Hereford, where his aunty worked - and there he met Dorothy who was just 19," said Christopher.

His community spirit brought him to the County Hospital where he worked for 31 years as a porter, cheering patients with his jokes.

After retiring he founded CATS, Chris's Aid Team Swimmers, which he ran for 18 years free of charge, teaching more than 600 OAPs including a 91-year-old.

In his full and active life he also squeezed in 20 years' service to the Poppy Appeal, wrote poems to mark special occasions, and enjoyed sport, gardening and even magic.

He adopted Baden Powell's words as his own resolution, "to leave this life a little bit better off than when I found it," - which he certainly achieved.

In tribute to his father Christopher his own special poem, will read his own specially composed poem during the funeral. He invites anyone else who wishes to make a vocal tribute to contact him.

Chris Ruffe's funeral will be held tomorrow, Friday, September 14, at St Peter's Church, Hereford at 1pm. Family flowers only and donations will be sent to The Scout Association, The Royal British Legion and the Charles Renton Unit at the County Hospital.

Christopher Ruffe may be contacted on 01432 354 377.