Tributes were paid last night to a 75-year-old man who died an hour after attending the funeral of a soldier recently killed in Afghanistan.

Tributes were paid last night to a 75-year-old man who died an hour after attending the funeral of a soldier recently killed in Afghanistan.

Doug Adams, secretary of the Gorleston branch of the Royal Anglian Association and the Suffolk Old Comrades, was dressed in full military regalia when he collapsed at Morrison's supermarket at Beccles on Wednesday.

He had been on his way home from St Mary's Church, Aldeby, to his home at Lowestoft after paying his respects to fellow Anglian regiment member L/Cpl George Davey when he suffered a heart attack.

His widow, Ruby, said he would be sorely missed as “he helped anybody.” She added: “He absolutely loved the army. He loved the discipline and everything about it.”

Mr Adams was married to Ruby for 38 years. They have a daughter Clare.

Malcolm Read, who served with Mr Adams in Cyprus in 1957, said: “He was a very nice man. He was absolutely dedicated to the army. He will be missed.”

Colonel Tony Taylor, secretary of the Norfolk and Suffolk branch of the association, said: “He walked with a stick but was a chirpy and cheerful man.”

Major Dean Stefanetti, commander of the rear party of the Royal Anglians, added: “The funeral was the last official thing he did.”