Tribute to 'free spirit' former paratrooper (From News Shopper)

Tribute to 'free spirit' former paratrooper

12:32pm Tuesday 13th May 2008 in

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A FORMER paratrooper who was found dead on scrubland has been described by his brother as a free spirit.

David Warren, who was known to camp out in the wooded areas in Swanley, was found by a member of the public in Beechenlea Lane on May 4.

The 61-year-old, known locally as "the walker", had disappeared at the start of February.

His 64-year-old brother Dennis, of Cooling Road, Cliffe, said David was a kind, caring man who liked to walk everywhere.

He added David was a paratrooper in the 1970s, who served in Borneo and Northern Ireland and after leaving the armed forces went from place to place.

Dennis said: "David never had a house of his own and didn't want anything to do with modern living. It was the way he wanted to live.

"He walked everywhere. He didn't think anything of it to walk from Swanley to Rochester, and once he even walked to and from Devon."

He added David, who was one of seven brothers and sisters, was very close to everyone in the family and always kept in touch with them.

David regularly visited his disabled brother Tony, who lives in Swanley.

Retired builder Dennis said: "We are all devastated. It is still sinking in really. David was a very happy person and he lived off the land, just as a paratrooper would have.

"Hundreds of people knew him. Sometimes people would see him walking and offer him a lift but he would say no. He was a free spirit."

He added: "He liked photography, bird watching and wildlife in general. He always carried binoculars. He was a very intelligent person and he always asked how everybody was."

A police investigation into David's death is still ongoing.

An inquest was opened and adjourned on May 9.

• If you knew Mr Warren add your tributes below or messages of condolence for his friends and family.