A MAN it’s fair to say was a true Teignbridge character has died.

Dave Grylls, born and bred in Newton Abbot, and who later lived in Kingsteignton, died on March 23 after a long illness at the age of 87.

He was born in Haldon Road – where he revisited to be interviewed by politician turned presenter Michael Portillo for the BBC Great Train Journeys programme.

His wife Yvonne said: ‘At that time virtually all those houses were lived in by railway workers.’

After studying at Newton Abbot Grammar School, Dave served his national service with the Royal Engineers in Edinburgh Castle – a place Dave would later return to with Yvonne on their honeymoon.

When his Army service finished he worked on the railways, as a ticket collector when he met his wife-to-be, and later as a head passenger shunter.

Following the Beeching cuts Dave left the railway and joined forces with his brother to run Whites Garage by the cattle market. As well as a Skoda dealership they ran the Dinky Kabs taxi service.

Despite being born with two holes in his heart – which remarkably were discovered when he was 62 – he only became wheelchair-bound in the last four years of his life as his health began to fail.

Albeit a faulty one, his heart was that of a historian, and Dave could be seen telling stories and giving talks around the town he loved. His knowledge of Newton Abbot and its people was vast..

‘He knew where everyone lived, who they married and where they worked,’ said his wife.

‘His body may have become frail but his mind remained active and alert to the end. He had a fantastic brain which was second to none.’

A keen reader, especially of political books, Dave also a keen writer himself., telling stories of his childhood and family memories.

‘He used to speak of making lead soldiers and how he loved to play at Wolborough as a boy,’ said Yvonne.

‘His father used to keep an allotment there and he and his friends would pinch potatoes and bake them on bonfires!’

Proud of the town’s history, after retiring he managed the railway section at Newton Abbot Museum, and while dressed as Isambard Kingdom Brunel, complete with stovetop hat, he would greet coach parties visiting the town on market day.

When lockdown came and Dave was deprived of meeting people in the centre of Newton Abbot and at the museum, he started a Facebook group about the history of Newton Abbot. Membership quickly grew to more than 1,300 people across the world, keen to see old photos of the town and share memories.

In his honour the group has been renamed Dave Grylls Newton Abbot Nostalgia and is being managed by friends George Massey and George Hampshire. Yvonne said he would have been over the moon. He was most proud he had brought families together through the group, and his wife thanked the many Facebook members who had offered messages of support.

She added: ‘I’d like to thank Felicity and all Dave’s friends at the museum. He loved you all.’

Dave was a prolific letter writer, and many of his missives, sometimes controversial, appeared in the Mid-Devon Advertiser. Yvonne said he kept all his cuttings and there were several scrapbooks-full.

‘He was definitely opinionated and had strong views, and he did like his moment of fame as he put it,’ she said.

The Mid-Devon Advertiser letters page editor said: ‘Dave was one of the great characters in Newton Abbot and will be sorely missed, both in the paper and in real life.

‘He always had time for a chat whenever you bumped into him at St Leonard’s Tower on Wednesdays. He’ll leave a large hole in the town centre... and on the letters page.’

Dave leaves behind Yvonne, ‘his devoted wife’ of 63 years, his sons Michael and Gordon, and Christopher (who predeceased him), his daughters-in-law as well as five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Yvonne said: ‘He was a dear granddad and great grampy to his family, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was a respected and true character and gentleman who loved Newton Abbot.’