A MAN who started working at R A Lister as an apprentice as a 15-year-old in 1952 and eventually ended up buying part of the company nearly 50 years later has died.

David French, who lived in Dursley throughout his life after being evacuated to the town in the Second World War, died at the age of 79 on Saturday.

Forming part of a two-man management buy-out of Lister Shearing, Mr French became managing director before handing over the reins upon his retirement in 2002.

His life in Dursley began during the Second World War, however, when his family were evacuated to the town from their home in Eastbourne, Sussex in 1941 before being placed with host families after assembling in Lister Hall upon arrival.

Six years after starting work as an apprentice at R A Lister, he went into the drawing office, followed by spells as a production engineer, manager and site manager.

After leaving Dursley Secondary Modern at the age of 15, Mr French began working as an apprentice at R A Lister as part of its workforce of more than 3,000 people.

He was initially training as a fitter and turner before being moved into the drawing office where he worked for most of his apprenticeship.

Following a two-year interlude of National Service, he returned home to Dursley and resumed his career with Listers.

Not long after Mr French took his first steps into management when he was put in charge of the sheep-shearing subsidiary of Lister Farming Equipment.

After a number of elements under the Lister umbrella were sold off towards the end of the 20th century, Mr French soon realised that Lister Shearing, the sole remaining part of the firm’s agricultural side, was likely to be cast aside in favour of diesel manufacture.

Along with his colleague Alun Williams, they completed a management buy-out of the department following a series of complicated negotiations in March 1999.

His history with Lister came to an end when Mr French retired in 2002, although his work laid the foundation for a still thriving Lister Shearing, which is now based at Stonehouse.

Upon retirement, Mr French and his wife Jose travelled extensively and took a keen interest in the developing careers and sporting activities of his three sons and seven grandchildren.

Mr French died on Saturday at the age of 79.