Leslie Swinden was part of a team which broke the record for the fastest flight from England to Cape Town.

The flight, on the RAF Lancaster Aries, was part of a goodwill mission to strengthen ties between the RAF and the South African Air Force. It took 32 hours and 21 minutes, breaking the existing record by seven hours and four minutes.

Mr Swinden served in the RAF from 1941-45. When the war ended, he resumed his work as an engineer on the railways.

For 18 years, he held the position of divisional engineer for the Leeds division.

Nephew David Swinden said: "He had a very analytical mind, if there was a problem to do with anything electrical it was like a red rag to a bull until he had solved it."

Mr Swinden was a former president of Dewsbury Probus Club, and was also an active member of Dewsbury Rotary Club and Thornhill Probus Club.

Mr Swinden, of Ossett, died on June 10 aged 92. He leaves son Martin and three grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by first wife Eileen, second wife Dorothy and partner Doreen.