THE SON of a tractor historian and enthusiast from Petersfield has taken his father on a fitting final journey.

The late John Rutter spent most of his working life and spare time repairing, maintaining and restoring agricultural vehicles.

So there were no questions about the mode of transport for his funeral, as he was transported to his service by his own 1950 Ford E27N with a Perkins P6 engine.

The tractor was driven to The Oaks Crematorium in Havant by John’s son, Gary, who helped his father restore the vintage Ford after it was bought at the end of its working life from a Langrish farm in 1974.

It was also the first vintage tractor they acquired with the pair amassing a large collection of historic agricultural vehicles over the years.

John, who lived on Penns Road, died in early December following a determined battle against cancer, with more than 100 friends and family members attending his funeral.

He was well known across East Hampshire having worked at many farms in the area. He trained as an agricultural engineer with Laycock & Gerrard in Petersfield in the 1950s, following national service in the RAF, before working for Hyde Abbey and then Watson & Haig in Alton.

John then set up his own business in 1969 and worked until well past retirement age, the firm then being taken over by son Gary.

Married to Jean for 65 years, John also leaves sons Barry and Gary, grandchildren Carl, Lauren, Jemma and Ben, and great grandchildren Ramona and Rudy.