A MASON and musician from Weymouth who rubbed shoulders with Goons comedian Michael Bentine during the war has passed away aged 88.

David Seall was born and raised in Weymouth and attended St John’s School.

As a boy, Mr Seall joined the Salvation Army and progressed a year early into its senior band after learning to play the trombone.

Mr Seall served in the RAF during the Second World War, spending most of his time stationed in the Shetlands operating radar.

It was while in the service that Mr Seall fell seriously ill after having a smallpox vaccination.

He had queued for the injection alongside a then- unknown Michael Bentine, who later erroneously recalled Mr Seall in his biography as ‘the cobbler from Dorset who unfortunately died’.

Mr Seall’s children explained that Mr Bentine mistakenly believed their father, who was a professional cobbler, had died after receiving his shot when he had in fact been taken seriously ill in hospital but later recovered.

David Seall junior said his father went to a book-signing with Mr Bentine years later and introduced himself to the comedian, who was surprised to see his old colleague alive and well.

Mr Seall senior’s father and twin brother Steve used to run Wessex Shoe Repairs in St Thomas Street, Weymouth and employed David Seall’s future wife Doris.

David and Doris were married in 1943 shortly before he returned to the town to help his family run the business full-time.

David and Doris Seall were keen dancers and Mr Seall organised a number of themed dance nights, always encouraging other dancers to come in fancy dress.

Mr Seall started a dance band in the 1950s, playing the saxophone alongside a number of local musicians, who performed together at venues in Bournemouth and Glastonbury.

Mr Seall was also a Freemason for 40 years in later life and rose to the rank of Grand Officer in Portland’s Loyal Manor lodge.

Mr Seall helped raise funds for the then Trimar Christian Hospice, presenting a cheque to the charity in 1991.

With his extensive military knowledge, Mr Seall became a valued volunteer at Weymouth’s Nothe Fort and used his skills as a leather craftsman to make artefacts used there in exhibitions.

After retiring, Mr Seall entertained schoolchildren in the town as Father Christmas and had the privilege of switching on Weymouth’s Christmas lights on two occasions.

Mr Seall, who outlived Doris by three years, passed away last week and leaves behind son David, also a member of Portland’s Loyal Manor lodge, and daughters Kate and Linda, who works for Fielding and Cumber Ltd veterinary surgery in Chickerell Road, Weymouth.