TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Worcestershire Superintendent described by his family as an “imperturbable story teller”.

Frederick Boughton, kno-wn as Tony, settled in a home he built for his family in Northwick, Worcester, after having 13 homes within 30 years for his job with West Mercia Police. He died aged 90 after a short illness on November 27.

Born in 1923 in Mitcheldean in the Forest of Dean, Mr Boughton was the eldest of five children. He ended up being known as Tony after his mother inserted the name Anthony onto his baptism certificate without his father knowing.

His family moved to Droitwich before the Second World War and Mr Boughton’s first job was delivering orders for a butcher in Kidderminster. He went on to become a packer at the military logistics camp at Hampton Lovatt, eventually volunteering for the Royal Marines at the age of 18 in 1942.

Six months later, he was in North Africa, and then served in the Sicily landings, Italy and France. On his discharge from war service, he joined the Worcestershire Constabulary.

He was interviewed by the man who later became his father-in-law and Mr Boughton married his wife Dorothy in St Mary’s Church, Sansome Walk, Worcester, March 30, 1950.

Mr Boughton rose to the rank of Superintendent by the time he retired in 1983 by which time he was living in Worcester.

His son Andrew said: “Tony thoroughly enjoyed his job and was widely liked and respected as he worked his way from a motorcycle policeman to what would today be described as a divisional commander.

“An imperturbable story teller, he took every opportunity to entertain with memories of policing and rural life that could colour a Worcestershire version of Heartbeat, at other times reflecting sombrely on his own war experiences.

“In retirement he was an avid gardener, orchid-grower and francophile.”

Mr Boughton is survived by his wife, Dorothy, two sons, four grandsons and one great granddaughter.

Committal at Worcester Crematorium at 11am on Monday will be followed by a service of remembrance and thanksgiving at Claines Church from noon. All are welcome and for refreshments at the Mug House afterwards and donations should be made to the Royal British Legion.