Tributes have been paid to the granddaughter of Tom Crisp VC, who has died at the age of 89, having lived in Lowestoft all her life.

Lowestoft Journal: Doreen Hague was the granddaughter of Tom Crisp VC.Doreen Hague was the granddaughter of Tom Crisp VC.

Doreen Hague was born in Stanley Street and attended The Central School, before working as a secretary and at the Marina Cinema.

She then became a school assistant and was employed by the handicap centre in Rotterdam Road for the rest of her working life.

Ms Hague had two children, Jayne and Michael and was married to Arthur until he died in 1990. She also had five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and lived in Squires Walk in Gunton for more than 60 years.

Ms Hague was the granddaughter of skipper Tom Crisp, who was awarded the Victoria Cross during his defence of his vessel, the Nelson, in the North Sea against an attack from a German submarine in 1917.

Daughter Jayne Groom, 65, paid tribute to her 'inspirational' mother.

'My mother was always very proud to be the granddaughter of Tom Crisp VC and the family had a lot of involvement in setting up the Maritime Museum in Sparrows Nest.

'She was extremely proud of our fishing heritage.

'My mother was a very active person with gardening, sewing and travelling some of her hobbies.

'In the last few days of her life, I was sitting holding her hand and she said to me 'I worked hard all my life didn't I'.

Ms Hague became the friend and then partner of Peter Bushell, who lived opposite her. She spent a lot of time with him for around 20 years before he died at the age of 90 in October. Ms Hague died at Carlton Hall Nursing Home on January 23.

The funeral will take place on Thursday, February 19 at Gorleston Crematorium at 11.20am.