A FEARLESS former soldier from Stourbridge - one of the last remaining members of an elite band of miltary men - will be given a poignant send off at his funeral tomorrow (Friday).

Former Malayan Scout - Dennis Perks, aged 84, passed away on June 4 a few days after undergoing an operation to remove a tumour on his lung at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton.

Mr Perks, from Amblecote, was one of just two surviving members of the specialised unit - better known now as the SAS - who were parachuted into the jungle in the Far East in 1951 during the time of the Malayan uprising.

Mr Perks, who had earlier served with the Royal Engineers and the Parachute Regiment - having joined the army at 18 towards the end of WWII, worked as a bomb disposal and booby trap expert whilst in the Malayan jungle.

Tragically while trying to diffuse one of the devices it exploded in his hands, shredding five of his fingers.

Despite his injuries he managed to find the strength to carry a wounded colleague for three days through the jungle before they were rescued by helicopter.

Incredibly, despite losing half his digits, the gutsy soldier continued his service with the SAS for another 18 months and later went back to the Royal Engineers before winding up his military career for good.

Afterwards he worked as a carpenter and joiner for 40 years - serving as foreman at RG Horton in Brierley Hill for 35 years.

His son Steve said his dad was “a totally inspirational” figure.

He added: “He was fantastic. He was a determined character and a perfectionist and he certainly influenced the lives of those around them.

“He’d do anything for anybody, that’s why he’d got so many friends.”

Stourbridge businessman and member of the SAS Regimental Association, Alastair Rose, described the old soldier as an “absolute gentleman and a pleasure to know”.

He said he would be attending the courageous ex-military man’s funeral tomorrow (Friday June 17) which is being held at Stourbridge Crematorium at 2.50pm.

Members of Stoubridge Royal British Legion will also be paying their last respects and students from Old Swinford Hospital School have been drafted in to play the last post; while Mr Perks’ grandson Ben plans to wear the brave army man’s medals as a tribute.

Mr Perks leaves a wife Patricia, sons Steve and Paul, six grandchildren and one great grandson.