RASTRICK sports personality John Chase died at the age of 73.
He lived at Rastrick until four years ago, when he moved to Morecambe with his wife, Joyce.
His funeral was held there recently and was attended by his three daughters, 29 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Mr Chase was well known in Kirklees and Calderdale for his involvement in sports, particularly rugby league.
He had trials with Huddersfield and Bradford Northern clubs and got into the Bradford team.
He played for them as a first team regular for 10 years.
He then played three seasons with Bramley.
After he stopped playing, Mr Chase went into coaching and helped many West Yorkshire amateur sides.
He also coached the Huddersfield A team, often coming out of retirement to play for the side.
In the 1970s, he helped re-form Brighouse Rangers rugby league team.
Mr Chase also enjoyed playing water polo and wrestling.
In his youth he was a keen boxer and fought Henry Cooper - who was to become British champion.
As a young man, Mr Chase also had a taste for action and travel.
He grew up in Gibraltar, where his soldier father was the Governor's chauffeur.
At the age of 15, Mr Chase followed in his father's footsteps and joined up, fooling Army officials into believing he was a year older.
He spent 23 years serving in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and the SAS.
He served in Malaysia, Korea, Omagh and Dubai.
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal, both for gallantry and bravery in action.
After leaving the forces, Mr Chase remained supportive of the military.
He was actively involved with the Royal British Legion's Remembrance Day poppy sales in Brighouse.
