Tributes have been paid to a wartime aircraft engineer who passed away just days short of his 102nd birthday.

Albert Bennett died at his home in Tudor Close, Dartford, on Monday, October 3, more than 70 years after he signed up as an overseas RAF instrument engineer in the Second World War.

The centenarian worked on Hurricanes and Spitfires in Burma, India and Singapore during his time with the 155 Spitfire Squadron, aircraft which would go on to play a pivotal role over London during the Battle of Britain.

Not that Mr Bennett allowed such experiences to be consigned to history, he left the RAF in 1946 and moved into Tudor Close two years later, going on to lead an incredibly active and colourful life right into his old age, continuing to give talks on his time with the squadron and even writing his own memoirs.

One of his closest friends in his twilight years was Jim Carlo, 78, who lives in Wilmot Road, Dartford, and met Mr Bennett in 2011.

“Albert was small in stature but big in heart. He stood out in a crowd, he sparkled, and he loved life,” said Mr Carlo.

“I have been so lucky in my later life to meet someone like Albert and become a good friend of his. He never talked about death and I always thought he would be someone who went on until he was 110 or something like that.

“He had so much energy. He was always looking forward, it wasn’t as if he was resigned to being stuck in a house, he was always looking to the next thing.

“He was a very proud man and very loyal to his mum and dad, particularly his dad because he was a prisoner in the First World War and ended up in Russia. Albert never forgot that.”

The Messenger met Mr Bennett when he celebrated his 100th birthday on October 15, 2014 and he was keen then to pay tribute to his parents.

Albert Edward and Hilda Bennett raised their son in Rochester where his father worked nearby in what is now The Historic Dockyard in Chatham. He told us: “My parents did so much for me. I loved them very much.”

John Rank was another who did plenty for Mr Bennett, especially in the 10 years since his wife Betty passed away.

Mr Rank, 81, lives opposite Mr Bennett in Tudor Close with wife Rosemary, 80, and has done for close to five decades.

“When he stopped being able to get about so much I would go into Dartford and do his shopping for him,” recalled Mr Rank.

“He looked after himself, though. He didn’t want to go into hospital and didn’t want to die in a home. He went into a home for one day and caused a riot and wanted to get out. Albert’s brain was 100% to the end.

“Albert was a busy lad and I think that’s what kept him going. He raised money for the Rainbow Trust and I found out in the last week that he was nominated for an OBE for his fundraising.”

Albert was small in stature but big in heart. He stood out in a crowd, he sparkled, and he loved life" Jim Carlo

The Rainbow Trust is a children’s charity providing emotional and practical support to families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness.

Mr Bennett had supported the Rainbow Trust for more than 20 years after he and his late wife heard Esther Rantzen interviewing charity founder Bernadette Cleary on television.

They were so moved by the interview they wanted to do something to help and since 1995 Mr Bennett raised more than £5,000.

A spokesman for the Rainbow Trust said: "Albert was a loyal supporter of Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity for 21 years.

"On August 23, 1995, Albert gave his first talk when he was chairman of the Dartford Probus Club.

"Albert supported the charity by giving talks to local community groups in Kent about his early life in the RAF as a Spitfire engineer and his time in Burma.

"All donations went to Rainbow Trust who support families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness.

"Albert was a true gentleman and will be sadly missed by everyone at Rainbow Trust."

Mr Bennett was very well known in the area — he received more than 200 cards on his 100th birthday — and was treated to a special trip aboard a fire engine to celebrate his 99th birthday.

In need of a new smoke alarm, Dartford fire station went the extra mile and took a fire engine to his home to see him. Not only did he get the new smoke alarm, he also hopped on board and enjoyed a short journey down the road.

Even during his advancing years Mr Bennett was keen to live life to the full.

Reflecting on his 100 years back in 2014, he told us: “It has all been very wonderful really. Obviously times were hard during the war, but I have enjoyed my retirement very much.”

Part of the enjoyment came from his correspondence with the rich and famous — Mr Bennett kept entire folders of letters from Buckingham Palace and famous people, including Joanna Lumley and Margaret Thatcher.

A big turnout is certainly expected for his funeral, which takes place at Eltham crematorium on Monday, October 24, starting at 1.15pm.