A BLACK Country World War II hero who was horrifically injured in the Anzio landings, has died following a short illness.

John Partridge, of Hill Street, Stourbridge, passed away at Russells Hall Hospital on December 7, aged 91.

Known to his friends and family as Jack, Mr Partridge was called up to the Royal Artillery in 1941.

He served as an anti-tank gunner in the Eighth Army in North Africa, where he was awarded the African Star.

Mr Partridge went on to serve in Italy and when in Naples, he met and chatted with Casablanca star Humphrey Bogart , who was there to raise morale, while walking around the ruins of Pompeii.

Tragedy struck in January 1944, when Mr Partridge was terribly wounded in an assault on the beach head at Anzio, where many of his comrades died.

Due to the nature of his injuries, his future looked bleak but he defied the odds after spending four years undergoing treatment in hospital at Alder Hey, Liverpool, learning to walk again and to use his badly damaged hands.

He returned to the Black Country in 1949, and met his future wife, Jean, while performing in Halesowen Operatic Society's production of Gypsy Love.

The couple married in 1952 and enjoyed 55 years together before her death in 2007.

Mr Partridge was a founder member of Halesowen’s Loyal Order of Moose, where he was instrumental in raising substantial funds for local charities and also overcame physical disability to work as a laboratory technician at Halesowen Grammar School until he retired in 1985.

His daughter, Ros Partridge, said: “His whole life was devoted to helping other people.

“He was always there for others and wanted to help and support his family.”

The funeral will take place at Stourbridge Crematorium on Friday (December 19) at 2.50pm.