A retired fishmonger and lifelong Teddington resident has been remembered after he died this month.

Francis Burtenshaw ran his long-standing family business from its premises in Udney Park Road, having returned from India following the Second World War.

Francis was born during 1924 in the flat above his parent’s fishmongers shop in High Street, Teddington, which had been established by his father Frank in 1922.

Frank and his fellow Teddington shopkeepers were heavily involved in raising money to build Teddington Hospital.

The family lived above the shop until Francis was 14, then moved to Udney Park Road.

Aged 15, Francis started an apprenticeship at Hawker Siddeley in Kingston. He loved the job but unfortunately got his call up papers for World War 2 at the age of 18.

He did his training with the Gordon Highlanders around the country and was then offered a position to serve in the Intelligence Corp in New Delhi, India where he served for five years working up the ranks to become a sergeant.

His family said: “He never stopped talking about India, the stories he told us were amazing.

“When he came back from India he had to make the decision as to whether to go back to Hawkers or go to work with his mum and dad to help save the family business. He decided to go into the fish trade where he worked for the next 50 years.”

Francis met his wife Pamela in 1947 and they married in 1949, which continued for 50 years, during which they had two children, Sandra and Andrew, before Pamela passed away in 2000.

Francis was very well respected by his customers in Teddington and his family were very proud of him.

In his shop there was always a collection box for The British Legion and after many years of collecting and selling poppies, he was presented with a certificate of appreciation.

He lived in Udney Park Road until he was 92 and then lived the last 3 years in a care home in Hampton before falling unwell and he passed away in hospital in May, aged 95.

His funeral will take place on June 2 but is limited to family only due to the current circumstances.

However the hearse will be departing from his former house in Udney Park Road at around 1.15pm and then will drive down Teddington High Street.

Anyone that would like to pay their respects are welcome to cheer him on as he passes through his beloved Teddington, where he spent his whole life.