A GLYNDWR university student is playing a vital role in remembering a local war hero.

John "Jack" Bellis died aged 102 on Sunday, August 5, just a few weeks before a calender featuring his photograph was set to be released.

Rebecca Jones, 28, of Bradley, Wrexham, is a student photographer at Glyndwr Wrexham University and will have one of her photographs of Mr Bellis published in the British Army Calender 2019 at the end of August.

The Leader:

Photography credit: Rebecca Jones

Ms Jones first contacted Mr Bellis for a university project and decided to submit her work to the British Army Calender.

She said: "Jack came in the studio all suited with his medals ready for his photo shoot. He was delighted that I asked him to come in.

"When I had done the photos and showed him he was overwhelmed and told me it was brilliant, so I thought it would be nice to print loads for him and his family.

"When I showcased the photography I was going to send off to Jack, he wish me luck in the competition and said that he was going to be famous.

"That’s his cheeky fun character which he’s never lost!"

To pre-order a copy of the calender, visit https://soldierscharityshop.org/products/2019-calendar-pre-order

The Leader: