THE last surviving ex-soldier from an historic North West army battalion has died at the age of 89.

Wallace Jackson, of Greenbank, Ambleside, served with the 2nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers during the Second World War, seeing action in Algiers, Tunisia, Sicily and at the notorious battle for Monte Cassino in Italy.

Mr Jackson was born in Chadderton, Oldham, the eldest son of seven children.

He saw early action in northern France and was evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940. He joined the 2nd Battalion in March 1942.

Mr Jackson’s son, Leonard Jackson, said: “My father was always happy to talk about the war and his experiences.

“He was the last wartime survivor from the 2nd Battalion.

"His campaign medals and Dunkirk citation will now be displayed at the regimental museum.”

Mr Jackson moved to South Lakeland after marrying local resident Mary Allonby.

Mr Jackson was a loyal supporter of the Langdale and Ambleside Royal British Legion.

Widowed in 2007, he is survived by three sons, two daughters, one step-daughter, 15 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

His funeral service is at St Mary’s Church, Ambleside, on Tuesday followed by cremation.