Seaman served on ship that sank the Scharnhorst

During his career as an electrical engineer, Fred Finch was one of only three test drivers for an electric car which was developed for the road during the 1970s by the London-based Enfield company.

The firm had already established itself as a producer of firearms and speed boats and decided to launch its small electric city car in 1969. But the car, which was way ahead of its time, never caught on and never reached full-scale production. Mr Finch was born in Paddington and later grew up in Weymouth before the family moved to Bristol, which is where he settled after the Second World War.

He joined the Royal Navy in 1938 at the age of 15 and served on HMS Ceres before transferring to the battleship, HMS Duke of York, which was engaged in the sinking of the German battleship, Scharnhorst, off the Norwegian coast. After the war, he lived in Bath Road and served a further two years in the Royal Navy after he was called up to serve in the Korean War during 1951-52. While living in Bath Road, he met Elizabeth, a neighbour who he married in 1954. They later moved to a house on Wells Road before moving to Henleaze in 1971.

Fred had many interests, notably singing and was a member of Bristol Savoy Operatic Society and Bristol Light Opera Club during the 60s and 70s.

During his retirement, he was very active and jointly ran a collectable buttons and antiques business in Bath which regularly took him on trips to the USA.

Earlier this year, he attended a memorial service in Singapore for those who served with the British Pacific and East Indies fleets during the Second World War.

His son, John said: “He had a mischievous sense of humour among his friends and remained very active until taken by ill health earlier this year.”

He died peacefully at Westbury nursing home, surrounded by his family.

His funeral service will be held on Monday, December 20 at Canford Crematorium at 10am.