Robert Paul LESTER D-Day Glider Veteran & Keeper of Wotton’s Time 1920–2018

“He was a charming and good-looking man who made everyone feel welcome.”

Robert Paul Lester — known to most as Paul — was a beloved figure in Wotton-under-Edge and a true war hero. As a young man, he served in the Royal Engineers during World War II and was part of a daring glider mission into France the day after D-Day. Flying in a wooden glider under cover of darkness, Paul and his fellow soldiers landed behind enemy lines to support the Allied advance — a mission that required extraordinary courage and precision.

After the war, Paul returned to Wotton, where he lived in Adey’s Lane with his wife, Jean. The couple were married for nearly 70 years, and Paul was known for his warmth, wit, and deep love for his community.

Beyond his military service, Paul was a skilled engineer and took great pride in maintaining the Wotton-under-Edge Town Clock, ensuring it kept perfect time for decades. His quiet dedication to this task became a symbol of his character — steady, reliable, and always in service to others.

Paul passed away peacefully at the age of 98, just one month shy of his platinum wedding anniversary. His legacy lives on not only in the stories of bravery from Normandy, but in the ticking of the town clock and the hearts of those who knew him.