SECOND World War veteran Stan Lee had to defend himself recently against charges of being cantankerous when he was banned from a Tiverton meals service after making complaints about the quality of the food.

But the resident of Oak Close sees himself not so much as a serial complainer as an active supporter of the community.

Among his many correspondents, the 95-year-old regularly writes to the Queen and recently received a letter of sympathy from Buckingham Palace after he informed her of the death of his beloved dog Teddy.

Stan was born into a life of poverty and hardship.

In 1900, his mother Bessie Lee, whose maiden name was Townsend, was a dressmaker in Tiverton. His father, William Lee, was a Londoner who married Stan's mother at the Baptist Church in Tiverton.

But at the age of just 49, William died and Bessie was left with five children.

Stan explained: "My father worked on the railway in Wales but was dismissed in 1906. Staff were being sacked left, right and centre in those days. He came to Tiverton as a painter and decorator. One day, when he was painting in Silverton, he was taken ill and died, leaving my mother with five young children to bring up.

"From then on, my mother managed on a pound a week for five of us; this came from parish relief funds. There was no other money to look after children, as there is today."

Stan's eldest brother, Harold, became the breadwinner when he went into the John Heathcoat lace factory at the age of 11.

Stan said: "We all had to find jobs at the age of 10. We drove sheep out to Witheridge for tuppence. If we didn't walk, and the farmer had to pick us up, he would take a penny from us."

At the age of 11, Stan did a paper round from six in the morning. Stan remembers: "Down at Tiverton station, we had to sort out all our own papers according to our rounds, then make 120 drops before school. I went to Heathcoat School, getting there by 9am. The headmaster at the time was Mr Woodwards. There was also a Mr Clapp, who would chew a pencil in temper, a Mr Kew and a Mr Diamond.

"Every week, we were taken out on the square playground and given physical jerks by an ex-sergeant to make sure we were fit."

Stan left school at 14 to work for Pearke's Stores in Tiverton, and sold pre- packed bacon, sugar and tea from a three-wheeled tricycle.

Two years later Stan graduated to the Heathcoat factory as a laboratory assistant in the dye department. It was not a role he relished, describing it as "like a prison".

A disillusioned Stan decided to return to the grocery trade 18 months later as a provision assistant for Clements in Yeovil.

"While there, I was courting Marjorie Balsom, who I married at St Paul's Church in Tiverton on October 15, 1939," he said.

"I proposed to Marjorie in Tiverton cemetery, an unusual place, but she accepted. We were both great supporters of St Paul's Church. Marjorie sang in the choir and we were both Sunday school teachers. I was also a sidesman — taking in collection monies — and was on the church committee. We were married by Reverend Likeman."

On June 20, 1940, Stan was called up for National Service. He went on to serve for six years in the Devonshire Regiment.

Stan recalled: "During my army days I was posted for training at the barracks in Exeter. I became a signalman and was posted to the 8th Battalion Devon Regiment in Doncaster. My Colonel was WF Pugsley, who had previously been a town clerk for Tiverton Council but had been called up for the Territorial Army. Second in command was Major Batten, who owned the cycle shop in Bampton Street."

While Stan was away in the army, Marjorie was living in Bournemouth. She was hit by the blast of a flying bomb. Stan was given three weeks' leave.

"When I got to the house she was bringing up blood and the doctor told me my wife's life was like a candle; it could go out, or carry on.

"During those three weeks, I took her out to smell pine trees because that was thought to be good for chest complaints.

"The good news is that Marjorie went on to live for another 40 years. She died on June 14, 1987, at the age of 69."

After working for Harrison's Bacon Company as a sales manager and as a rep in Bristol, Stan returned to Tiverton with his wife in 1960. Stan has lived in the same bungalow in Oak Close ever since.

He has many memories from a lifetime of links with the town. Of these, he cites the election of his brother Harold to the town council as notable. Stan said: "Harold put himself up for the council and was elected right away. He beat Mr Hillman, then proprietor of the Hare and Hounds in Tiverton, by 1,000 votes."

Harold became Alderman in 1933 and served on the council for 36 years including a spell as mayor.

Stan said: "Alderman Lee was unpaid throughout this time — there were no expenses paid in his day, although he did receive £100 towards the annual mayor's big banquet.

"Alderman Lee was also chairman of a local cancer committee, the swimming club and the cycling club.

"He gave his life to Tiverton and was married to Miss Doris Pengelly, who is still living."

Two of Stan's brothers were renowned for their fitness and athleticism.

Stan stated: "My second eldest brother, Ted Lee (who later died), did jujitsu. He was instructed by Mr Jackman, an expert in wrestling, who owned Mendhams hairdressers in Gold Street in Tiverton."

Stan also remembers everyone's excitement when Len Harvey, the boxing Middleweight Champion of Great Britain, came to Tiverton some time around 1930 to put on a boxing exhibition.

Finally, recalling how every year the Great West Circus would come to the area, Stan said: "I remember in particular one clown — Mr Gardener. His father ran the Ministry of Labour in Westexe — he was a tough nut if you ever had to see him. The man in charge of the Great West Circus was Mr Howe, who was also the manager of the London Central Meat Company in Gold Street."