Kerry McQueeney looks back on the life of a man who recently died aged 102, but left a lasting mark on the town as a businessman, JP, optician and

charity supporter.

Douglas Rawling, who was the oldest serving Rotarian in Britain, has died aged 102.

Born on January 6, 1900, Mr Rawling become a distinguished participant in Croydon public life for nearly eight decades, but was known by family and friends to be modest about his success and generosity.

Son of the founder of Rawlings' Opticians, established in 1895 on North End, he was the eldest of four brothers, all of whom qualified as opticians.

He spent two years with manufacturing optician J&R Fleming and joined the army near the end of World War One.

Resuming his trade in 1922 he joined the family business, then located at High Street, Croydon, and spent the rest of his working life where it stands today.

He became a magistrate in 1950, and for a time was chair of the Croydon bench.

When he died he was Croydon's oldest and longest serving magistrate, though he became a reserve magistrate on his retirement around 1970.

The borough's charitable services were co-ordinated by him for six years, and he became president of Croydon Rotary Club in 1942, after joining in 1923.

Though he spent the latter years of his life at Red Court, a nursing home on Stanhope Road, Mr Rawling lived previously on Pine Coombe, Shirley Hills, near his younger son Michael.

Michael, who was also a retired Rawlings optician, said his father preferred to "get on with it rather than publicise himself".

Tom Rogers, a fellow Rotarian, said: "As a magistrate he was particularly fair and willing to listen. He was quiet, but loved people, and wanted to help those who needed it most. He never courted importance.

"He is the kind of person who really ought to have had an

honour."