Tributes have been paid to a former South African archdeacon who became a much-loved Macclesfield priest.

The Venerable Alfred James Draper – known as Jim – died at home in Gawsworth , aged 89.

The great-grandfather-of-two, who was an Anglican church canon (or priest) was born in Durban, South Africa, and worked in parishes across South Africa and England for many years before retiring to Macclesfield in 1993.

He was granted special permission by the Bishop of Chester to officiate in the parishes of St James the Great in Gawsworth, St Peter’s in Prestbury , and St John the Evangelist on the Weston. During an eventful life, he served in the South African and Royal Air force during the Second World War, including surviving a crash that almost killed him.

His eldest son, Jonathan Draper, who lives in South Africa, said: “Dad was happy in his cottage with his stamps,  his books, his music, the church and his family close by – often dreaming and romanticising about South Africa.

“We will remember dad for the smile that lit up his face, his deep and melodious voice – both speaking and singing – his commitment to his vocation and his utter conviction of the love of God in Christ Jesus.”

Mr Draper, who died on Tuesday, July 13, was born in South Africa on October 17, 1923.

He and his wife Doreen had five children; Cherry, Jonathan, Lynda, Stephen and Jeremy, 13 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, two-year-old Daisy and Rafaele, who will be one in August.

Mr Draper enlisted in the South African Air Force during the Second World War, where he was seconded to the 39th Bomber Squadron of the Royal Air Force.

It was while serving in Egypt that an engine failure led to a near fatal crash, but despite suffering extensive burns to his body and head, he managed to drag his co-pilot out.

After the war, he married Doreen and completed a bachelor of arts degree in English literature, which he had begun while stationed in Italy.

And it was their shared love of singing which boosted his interest in the Christian faith.

Jonathan explained: “He had not been a very religious person but during a performance of Handel’s Messiah, where he was singing the bass solos, he had a conversion experience during the Hallelujah Chorus.

“He decided to train for the Christian Ministry but was unsure about which denomination it should be.

“We attended the Methodist Church but dad was also singing in the cathedral choir. Anglican Church music won the day over Methodist choruses.”

The family came to England in 1962, returning to South Africa in 1979 to serve as a Rector. He went back to England in 1991 to serve in a parish in Lincolnshire for two years before retiring to Tytherington and moving to Gawsworth after he was widowed in 2008.

Jonathan added: “Dad was loathed to retire and undertook a series of locums at parishes in Chester Diocese.

“One of these became a much-loved home base for dad in his retirement: St. James, Gawsworth.

“He loved the style of worship and the people and was taken to their hearts by the congregation in return.”

Mr Draper, who once served as archdeacon at St Paul’s Church in Durban, was a bass soloist in numerous choirs and a passionate stamp collector, winning a Royal Philatelic Society Gold Medal for his collection of early Natal stamps.

He was a keen scout and scoutmaster, later becoming assistant area commissioner for the Natal and KwaZulu area in 1979.

He was also elected president of the Rotary Club and a keen member of the Prestbury Choral Society and the British Legion.