Tributes have been paid to a County Durham veteran who died after battling lung disease.
Phil Webb, 63, served in the Royal Regiment Artillery from 1975 to 1979 as a gunner and fought in Ireland.
During his service, Phil was shot at and petrol bombed while serving his country.
After leaving the services, Phil's life spiralled out of control and after losing his job turned to alcohol.
Phil found himself living on the streets before a Good Samaritan helped him turn his life around.
The dad-of-four was supported by the Royal British Legion who helped him find sheltered accommodation in Sacriston, County Durham, before moving to a bungalow in Newton Aycliffe.
Phil built a life surrounded by family and friends in the town where he met his partner Alison Todd, and lived close to one of his four children, Hannah Webb, 32.
Sadly, Phil lost his long battle to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on Monday.
Hannah, of Darlington, said: “He was very, very fun. He was definitely a fun dad.
“He was so talkative and his favourite thing to do was tell you a story.
"He had so many stories to tell and was a great storyteller. Dad was just very, very full of life.”
Hannah said her dad was known and loved so many people.
She said: “So many people knew and loved him.
"When he turned 60 he had a party in Newton Aycliffe and people from every area of the country were there.
“I think it was the happiest I ever saw him. He loved the attention.”
It was in 2012 that Phil's life took a turn for the worse after losing his job and he turned to alcohol.
In October 2015, he spent three nights sleeping rough on the streets of Carlisle.
It was then a man who was ex-forces offered Phil a place to stay and told him to contact the RBL for help.
After turning his life around Phil supported the RBL and shared his story to encourage other members of the service community to get help as they adjusted to civilian life.
Hannah, who battled her own health issues while her dad was struggling with his life, said she was “very proud of her dad” for turning his life around.
She said: “He turned his life around and I turned mine around. We were pushing each other.
"I think that’s what made me realise I was my father’s daughter, we have quite similar personalities.”
