South-East Essex said farewell to another well-known name on the local scene on Tuesday at the funeral of Jim Harvey.

The 93-year-old was a member of Old Southendians Tennis Club for 40 years and went on to become secretary of Southend & District LTA.

"Southend has lost another stalwart of the tennis scene," said former clubmate and Essex County LTA veterans co-ordinator Ian Pitt. "He was an amusing and friendly man who will be sadly missed.

"Jim was Old Southendians' representative for many years on the Southend & District committee and before he retired was patrons secretary of the association. He encouraged membership and for the first time it exceeded 100 patron members."

Harvey was born and bred in Southend and served with the Army during the arduous Italian campaign during the Second World War.

He later recalled his memories as a soldier in the book "D-Day Dodger" -- the title coming from Lady Nancy Astor's infamous remark about troops in Italy.

Harvey's death follows that of fellow tennis stalwarts Goldie Clark and Major Basil Curtis.

Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

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