Fundraiser and war veteran Benjamin Haywood, 98, dies
Staunch charity fundraiser, Navy veteran and popular local celebrity Benjamin Haywood has died aged 98.
Former sailorMr Haywood, who lived in Valley Road, Smethwick, walked thousands of miles to raise cash for countless charities after he retired.
Great-great-grandfather of three Mr Haywood, who walked between Land's End and John O'Groats six times, passed away at City Hospital on Monday.
Paying tribute to her father yesterday, 54-year-old Pam Haywood said: "He was quite a driven man, and he loved being with his family. He was a very strong character, and will be missed by many people." Having been born in Blackheath, he lived the first few years of his life there.
He then moved to Smethwick – first to Halfords Lane and then Carlton Road – before settling with his wife Stella in Valley Road. A much-decorated veteran, Mr Haywood served with the Navy for 18 years and during the Second World War served aboard the HMS Manchester.
He was in a British convoy codenamed Operation Pedestal that was set up to protect Malta in 1942. But his ship was under constant bombardment and HMS Manchester was finally sunk after being torpedoed off the Tunisian cost. Mr Haywood managed to climb aboard a raft, and with a few shipmates paddled to shore, but they were quickly captured and he spent the next four months as a prisoner of war in Algeria.
He was awarded honorary citizenship of the Maltese port of Valetta for his part in the navy campaign. He also launched a campaign to clear the name of the Manchester's captain Harold Drew, who was court-martialled for giving the order for the 800-strong crew of the Manchester to abandon ship, but was told by the Ministry of Defence that the case would not be reopened.
A regular in some of Smethwick's pubs, Mr Haywood became well known for delivering the Chronicle using an old pram.
He loved walking around the area, and extended this to walking long distances for several charities. He also walked in America and across Europe.
His wife Stella, 86, said: "He's been very active in his life. He was very very well known in Smethwick.
"He didn't start the charity work until he was nearing retirement. He started off by doing just ordinary walks to places like Bewdley, until someone suggested to him that he should do it to raise money. He did a lot for the blind."
Mr Haywood's funeral will be taking place on Wednesday, February 26 at Smethwick Old Church, The Uplands.
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