A loving father with a long military history was remembered by his family this week.

Tributes to the late Percival ‘Percy’ Rankin (94) who died on March 29, were led this week by his family.

Mr. Rankin, formerly of Chanterhill, was a popular local figure and will be fondly remembered by many across the community for his many years of service to the Enniskillen branch of Royal British Legion (RBL).

Speaking on behalf of the Rankin family, his youngest daughter, Noreen Weir, described her father as “strict but fair”.

Recalling a fond memory of her father, Noreen laughed as she recalled: “He wouldn’t let you lie in, in the morning. He would come in like a busybody with a shammy cloth to wipe the condensation off the window!”

Percy was born on February 13, 1928, in Tullycaldrick, Irvinestown. He married Letitia Clarke on May 5, 1953, and the couple welcomed three children: Leslie, Audrey and Noreen.

Recalling family camping trips, Noreen said: “We would have gone camping in a caravan, and there was a wee tent for all the children. Dad was in his element.”

A long association

Mr. Rankin had a long association with the Enniskillen branch of the RBL and had previously served as Branch Chairman from 1993 to 1995, and was the Branch President from 1997 to 2005.

Other involvements included more than 20 years of service to the RBL, included serving as Chairman of the Welfare Committee.

His path to the RBL came from his own military service, having joined the Inniskilling Fusiliers at 19.

Speaking about her father’s military service, Noreen said: “Dad joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1947, and was posted in the Middle East. Throughout his military career, he served in Greece, Somalia and Tripoli. He had served in Tripoli during the Suez crisis. He finished his army career in 1953.”

Percy had various attachments to different regiments throughout his career, including the East Surrey Regiment and Gloucester Regiment.

Noreen continued: “While in the Gloucester Regiment, his regiment was despatched to the Korean War, but he was held back to train new recruits due to his skill as a marksman.

“While he was training recruits, his regiment was decimated in a battle with the Chinese.”

Percy’s family background was steeped in military service. His father had served in the First World War; his brother, William, served in the Second World War and was killed in Norway in 1940. His brother George had also served for five years.

Honoured

It was for his services to the RBL that Percy was honoured in The Queen’s 2007 New Year Honours. He received his MBE in February, 2007, at Buckingham Palace from Her Majesty.

Noreen added: “He was very proud of that; we all met up afterwards and had a bit of a do.”

Prior to his military service, Percy worked on a farm in Chanterhill as a farm labourer after leaving school, before working in Berkley and Crozier Grocers in Belmore Street and Lakeside Garages.

Following his army career, he worked for Fermanagh District Council and for BT as a telephone linesman, retiring in 1993.

Percy had been residing at St. Macartan’s Nursing Home for the past three years, and died following a period of ill health, surrounded by his family.

The late Percy Rankin’s funeral took place on March 31 at Enniskillen Presbyterian Church, after which he was buried in Breandrum Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were carried out by W. T. Morrison Funeral Directors.

Percy is survived by his wife, Letitia; his children, Leslie, Audrey (Eric) and Noreen (Fred); his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.