FORMER Skipton railwayman, soldier, policeman, author and British Legion stalwart Malcolm Gordon Jarvis died of a massive heart attack at his Ilkeston home on his 70th birthday.

Malcolm had celebrated the day with his wife, Helen, four children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren, and had just signed off his newest book, Railway People of Skipton.

The volume outlines the town’s railway system and includes many old photographs and anecdotes from local former employees and their families.

Malcolm was well-known in his Ilkeston community for raising tens of thousands of pounds for charities by running in 22 marathons.

He had just completed this year’s Poppy Appeal on behalf of the Ilkeston branch of the Royal British Legion, where he was chairman and standard bearer.

Whilst working as a policeman at the City Ground in Nottingham, he once received an apology from former Leeds United and Nottingham Forest manager, Brian Clough. Malcolm ticked off Ole Big ’Ead for clouting a pitch invader. He admonished Clough before telling him: “That’s my job."

Malcolm was one of five brothers, who all grew up in the Shortbank Road area and went to Parish Church School in Brougham Street and Aireville School.

Malcolm’s first job was at Harry Wilkinson’s nursery in Chapel Hill, but his railway apprenticeship really captured his soul and he became a regular fireman for many LMS engine drivers.

During this time, he met his future wife, Helen King. He ensured their teenage romance would endure by sharing his lunchtime ‘snap’ (sandwiches) with her after ‘firing’ the Hellifield train, bringing her into Skipton, where she attended the Girls' High School.

When her family moved south, Malcolm transferred to London, then married Helen prior to joining the British Army.

He became a skilled radio operator, first with 22 Signal Regiment in Lippstadt and later at Brigade HQ Lisburn near Belfast. He was also involved in the operation of early vehicle-based PCs to help combat IRA activities.

But his children’s education came first, so he stepped out of khaki and into the PC’s blue serge. After training at Pannal Ash, he joined the Nottinghamshire force at Eastwood. He was nicknamed 'Columbo' because he always got his man!

He helped search for the Black Panther and was stationed at Moorgreen Colliery during the miners’ strike. He made many friends amongst the strikers, largely by dishing out good advice plus chunks of his wife’s homemade flapjack.

But Malcolm really shone as Stapleford’s community policeman, earning many commendations.

On retiring, he joined Nottingham City Council’s burglary reduction team, helping to cut break-ins by 38 per cent before retiring again at 65.

He then joined Stapleford’s History Society, gave talks and published several books on the town's wartime experience and its policing service. He took on the chairmanship of the Royal British Legion’s Ilkeston branch, played a major part in the town’s Poppy Appeal and proudly carried the branch’s standard at the Albert Hall’s Festival of Remembrance.

Yet, Malcolm often returned to his roots and even alerted Skipton to the loss of the ancient, but isolated Elsey Croft barn.

Ever friendly and always ready to offer advice and help, Malcolm will be sorely missed by an entire family that links Yorkshire with Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South Wales, Australia, Belgium, Germany and Rhode Island NY.