A MULTI-TALENTED aerial photographer and author of seven books has died after suffering from a short illness.

Captain Edward Clack, 85, was a prominent figure within the Southend community, notably for running Southend Light Aviation Centre for 20 years. He was the chief flying instructor and ran the centre with his daughter Deborah Broomfield.

Mr Clack, from Hullbridge, leaves his wife Cathy, 78, two daughters and two grandsons.

He was born in Bethnal Green in 1924 and attended Columbia Road School, before joining the RAF at the age of 17.

During his six years serving in the RAF, Mr Clack flew on many missions in the Iraq desert as a reconnaissance photographer.

After leaving the RAF, he returned to London to set up his own photography shop until 1956, when he took flying lessons and became a qualified pilot. He met Cathy at St Leonard’s Hospital, in Hoxton, in 1953 and they married on Christmas Day, 1956.

They lived in East London with their children before settling in Hullbridge 14 years ago.

As well as training people to fly at Southend Airport, Mr Clack and his daughter flew on several mercy missions for the Red Cross throughout Europe – taking donated organs for lifesaving surgery.

Mr Clack’s flying career ended in 1992 when his eyesight started to deteriorate, but he then penned seven books about his time in the RAF.

His oldest daughter, Elizabeth Clack, from Leigh, said: “He lived a very full life and he could not have fitted anything else in. He was very passionate about his art and he was a real gentleman.”

He died at Southend Hospital on Wednesday, April 21. The funeral was held Wednesday at Southend Crematorium, with donations going to Guide Dogs for the Blind or the Southend Blind Welfare Society.