Tributes as Joe Davies, the man behind the Lady Wulfrun street organ, dies

But just weeks before Joe Davies was to be awarded a Legion D'honneur medal for his service in France during the Second World War he has died, aged 93.

Mr Davies was set to be honoured with a civic reception in the city for his contribution with the 779 Company - part of 12 Corps Royal Army Service Corps - which landed on Gold Beach during D-Day on the night of June 9. After crossing the Rhine he volunteered to join the depleted airborne forces with whom he pushed on to Hamburg.

But Mr Davies passed away on March 14, just a month before his reception was due to take place.

His granddaughter Alexa Trusselle said: "He had his medal, but he was due to get his official presentation on April 19. He was really excited about it and looking forward to it, so it's a real shame, but at least he had his medal."

She added: "It's come as a bit of a shock. He hadn't really been ill at all. He was still going in the garage and messing about with cars, and had been playing his organ in February.

"We've had lots of well wishers getting in touch. He had lots of friends up and down the country."

Mr Davies, who leaves behind one daughter, two granddaughters and two great-grandchildren, was a regular among our pages, In an interesting and long career in the police, he become one of the first policemen to work in a police car fitted with a two way radio. He eventually rose to the rank of Superintendent in charge of traffic operations for the West Midlands.

After retirement in 1976 he concentrated on his interests including steam engines and street organs. He was a familiar sight at local events with his "Lady Wulfrun" street organ, which he demonstrated to Princess Diana in 1992.

He was married to Margaret for 68 years, before she passed away last October.

Mrs Trusselle added: "He had his own driving school when he retired from the police so I think he taught a lot of people how to drive in the city.

"He met Princess Diana at the opening of Bilston Street Police Station in 1992. He loved it.

"In 2014 we went over to Normandy and he chatted with Prince William.

"He did a home improvements TV show with Ulrika Jonsson as well, so he's met a fair few people."

She added: "He was like the fountain of all knowledge, he was always talking. He used to joke that in the summer his tongue would get sunburnt because he was talking so much.

"He was always willing to help anyone. When I was younger he had a motor home, and it was brilliant because if you wanted a day out to Alton Towers or somewhere you could just ask him and he'd take you, and you could pile all your friends in the back as well.

"He would try and do anything for anyone.

"I used to love going to steam rallies with him when we were children. We all used to go as a family and help him out.

"He never used to sit still, he always said, never put off something until tomorrow if you can do it today. "That was his motto and he lived by it."