Mr Andrew (Andy) McArdle was born in Clounagh Cottages, Armagh Road, in 1917.

On leaving school he went to work in Greaves’ weaving factory. But when the war broke out in September 1939, he joined the Royal Navy. He served throughout the conflict as a sick berth attendant, a role which involved helping the ship’s doctor with minor operations.

His service was on hunt-class destroyers which guarded convoys, a dangerous occupation in view of the constant threat posed by U-boats.

His first ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean and he was lucky to be one of the survivors rescued from the hostile waters. His second ship, HMS Derwent, was torpedoed in Malta Harbour, though it was later re-floated.

Attending the sick and injured entailed tending to colleagues who had been badly wounded. And when HMS Derwent was hit, he had the harrowing job of helping with some of those fatally injured and, in the case of a number of the survivors, horrifically mutilated.

He also saw service in Africa and India and having been de-mobbed from the Navy at the end of the war he remained in close contact with a number of his former comrades-in-arms.

On returning to civvy street, initially he found employment as a cabinet maker with McCarters in Lisburn, following which he worked for several firms before returning to Portadown to be close to his ailing mother.

Back in his home town he took a job in Denny’s, where he worked for eight years.

He married Lurgan girl, Violet Graham, and in due course they had two sons, Brian and Graham.

With work in Denny’s reduced to a two-day week he took up a job as caretaker of Clounagh Junior High School, where he spent eight years. He made many friends there, having made a highly favourable impression with staff and pupils alike.

On his retirement he was able to concentrate on his great passion, gardening. Both the front and back gardens of his family home drew many favourable comments and his work was much admired by those who saw its fruits.

He used to say, “You’re nearer to God’s heart in a garden than anywhere else in the world,” and that was in keeping with his personality, for he was a man of deep religious faith. He was a regular attendee of Sunday and Wednesday services at St Mark’s Church, as well as having been a faithful member of the men’s Bible class.

Mourners at his funeral included five Clounagh teachers and former principal, Mr David Watson, who defined him as having been “a true gentleman”. Other members of the school staff sent condolence cards.

He is survived by his wife Vi (Derryclone Gardens), sons Brian and Graham, grandson Nathan, and his late brother Jim’s family circle in Connecticut, USA.