One of the main driving forces behind the Bristol Evening Post’s campaign to open Merchant Navy memorial in the city has died – just two months before the tribute is due to open.

Stockwood man Douglas Davidson – known to all as Dougie – helped launch the fundraising drive in the city five years ago and has been a stalwart campaigner since.

News of the 81-year-old’s death has come as a blow to his many friends at the paper and the Bristol branch of the Merchant Navy Association.

Reporter Jon Lockett said: “This is tragic news. Dougie was one of those that was involved in the memorial campaign from the start.

“He has been ill for quite a while now, but we were all keeping our fingers crossed he would hang on until the opening of the memorial garden in May.

“He is a true hero. The memorial is dedicated to people like Dougie – those that put their lives on the line for their country. There will always be a place in the history books for Douglas Davidson MBE.”

The £100,000 campaign to open a Merchant Navy memorial in Bristol was launched in 1996 when it was revealed we were the only major city in the country without one.

The campaign had raised £80,000 by the beginning of this year, when the Evening Post decided to “get on board” and help raise the final £20,000.

Within two months the drive had reached its target.

The Princess Royal will be the guest of honour at the official opening of the memorial at Welsh Back, by the city’s waterside on May 21.

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