TRIBUTES have flooded in for a ukulele-playing Second World War hero and a lifelong Leigh Centurions fan.

Tom Boardman, a great-grandad from Leigh, died in hospital at the age of 99 this month following a short illness.

The former prisoner of war revealed the brutal treatment he was subjected to at the hands of his Japanese captors on BBC Two programme Britain at War: Imperial War Museums last March.

He spent three years behind bars in Thailand during the Second World War, living in appalling conditions.

Tom contracted malaria 32 times during his incarceration and his weight plummeted to six stone.

But he kept the spirits up of his fellow comrades by entertaining them with a ukulele he made from ‘old Red Cross boxes and used telegraph wires’.

The talented ukulele player, who was a sergeant with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, also worked on the infamous ‘death railway’ in Burma during the war.

Speaking to our sister paper, the Leigh Journal before the TV programme aired, Tom said: “You had to have willpower to survive. If you couldn’t overcome the desperate situation you would die.

“I wanted to give the lads something to lift their morale, if only fleetingly.

“We needed something to take our minds away from the reality of war. I had always loved music and played the ukulele, so I set about making one out of the old Red Cross boxes and used telegraph wires for string.”

The ukulele he played during the war is now housed at Imperial War Museum North in Trafford.

Widower Tom, whose wife Irene died in 2009 following 69 years of marriage, was a keen supporter of armed forces charities and regularly attended commemorative events for veterans in the borough.

Linda Fisher, founder of Shoulder to Soldier, a charity that helps veterans, said: “Tom was a lovely man who will be missed by us all. His guidance and support was always appreciated by our veterans.

“Life will never be the same without him.”

Tom worked for Lancashire United Transport in Howe Bridge, Atherton, after returning from the war. He was captain of Leigh Golf Club and played many other sports.

His biggest sporting passion was Leigh Centurions, with his coal miner dad Ernie having played in their Challenge Cup winning team of 1921.

The club’s oldest fan regularly attended matches. Tom was a season ticket holder at Leigh Sports Village and was looking forward to celebrating his 100th birthday in May by watching, with son Ron, his beloved team play.

Ron said: “Dad saw Leigh play at Mather Lane, Charles Street and Hilton Park and remained an avid supporter on their move to Leigh Sports Village.

“He was made of stern stuff and was a remarkable man.

“He had seen all the great Leigh players but his favourite, like so many supporters, was undoubtedly John Woods.”

Centurions owner Derek Beaumont said: “It is amazing that he was so passionate about the club and that even at 99 he attended the games.

“I have fond memories of inviting Tom into the life members’ box for one of our games when it was very cold, something he made sure I knew he was really grateful for and enjoyed.”