War hero Alfred Mullins was an RAF flight engineer whom crews could rely on to get them home after bombing raids.

Known as Alf, he would fly Lancaster bombers to safety through German gunfire while the pilot got vital rest after hours at the controls.

His courage earned the Distinguished Flying Medal in 1943 – one of just a few thousand to be awarded – which he received from King George VI.

Mr Mullins, who worked his way up the ranks to flight lieutenant, has died at the age of 86.

Born in Bristol on March 4, 1922, Mr Mullins was one of six children and lived with his family in the Old Market area of the city.

As he grew up, he played rugby for Bristol Old Boys and after joining the RAF.

His working life began as a butcher, then he joined the RAF as a flight mechanic when he was 17 and was a sergeant when he received the DFM.

During his service he travelled all over the world, including postings to Australia.

When he left the RAF, he worked for Lever Brothers and was later a divisional sales manager with the Holts car products firm.

Son Colin, 60, said his father often talked about his wartime experiences, especially in his later years.

He said: "I know he had many commendations from his squadron leader. When he received the DFM, it said he was always relied on to get the crew home – he always did.

"He was also commended for showing great initiative and courage. I think he may have even been in a victory parade in Bristol when all the troops came home.

"One of the stories I remember Dad telling us was about a mission when the plane was coming in to land, the wheels locked and wouldn't go down. I think there was a problem with the hydraulics.

"Dad made everyone in the crew get all the available liquid in the cabin to lubricate the system.

"Down went the pilot's soup and all the coffee from the flasks. Somehow it worked and they managed to land safely."

In another dramatic return from Germany, the undercarriage of the plane collapsed on landing.

Mr Mullins' daughter, Ann Barnes, said: "Apparently the plane landed halfway down the runway and then slid into a potato field.

"Dad said he remembered everyone running once they landed and the people in the field were so scared they had thrown potatoes at them.

"One of the most emotional stories my father told us was about a return flight from a raid near a munitions factory.

"Dad was piloting the plane for the return leg and his friend Bob was navigating. He had leaned left in order to plot the co-ordinates.

"At that moment flak exploded and the shrapnel hit Bob in the head and neck.

"If he hadn't been leaning over, that shrapnel would have hit Dad, who then had to navigate and fly his plane back while trying to keep his friend alive.

"Sadly Bob died as the aircraft touched the landing strip. Just a month before, Dad had been best man at his wedding."

Mr Mullins was in the RAF when he met his wife, Audrey May. She was from Plymouth and worked in the officers' mess. They were married for nearly 64 years and lived in Whitchurch

He leaves Audrey and their four children – John, 63, Colin, Martin, 54, and Ann, 50. They also had 12 grandchildren and 11 great- grandchildren.

They enjoyed an active retirement and had holidays in Australia and on the QE2.

Ms Barnes said: "Dad enjoyed gardening, making home-made wine and word searches. He was known to many friends and neighbours as Mr Fix-it because he was a handyman."

Mr Mullins had two cancer operations and fought MRSA and c.diff infection before he died on August 15.