Oscar Manning Paff was born on July 13, 1922 to Charles and Rebecca of "Ferndale" - now known as Ida Lake - a dairy farm off Norwood Lane, Mount George.

'Ossie' was the second eldest of twelve children. He left Mount George school at 12 years of age where he took cattle from 'Ferndale' mustering them all the way to their other farm at Krambach.

He moved to Germany Lane, Krambach at the age of 14.

Being brought up on the land, Ossie had various jobs, working for the Baker in Mt George and dairy properties in the area.

When he heard about World War II, Ossie, keen to be a part of it and do his duty, walked all night from Krambach to Gloucester a total of 30 miles, where he lied about his age and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces.

He started with the 2nd/17th Infantry and finished his service with the 2nd/14th Light Anti-Aircraft. Both were under the 9th Division and Leader Lieutenant General Leslie James Moreshead.

This took Ossie to the Middle East, to the Battle of El Alamien based in the Middle East. He returned to Australia for retraining and then returned to the Papua New Guinea Campaign, serving in Lae and Finchhafen.

Private Gunner, Oscar Paff, NX 7122, served a total of 1273 days in the army; 783 days of these were served overseas. He wrote many letters and postcards home to his family (these letters are still in the family's possession).

He returned home to Australia in 1945 and held various jobs before he chose the career as a New South Wales police officer in which he proudly served in the NSW Police Force for the next 38 years.

Ossie's first post was to Cowra where he met and married Alma. Due to the regulations back then, he was not allowed to stay in the hometown of his wife, they were posted to Menindee.

They had four children along the way, who moved around the state where Ossie was stationed including: Spring Hill, Bangalow, Casino, Newcastle, Gosford and Regent St, Sydney by which time he had risen to the rank of Inspector third class and Superintendent.

Upon retiring he settled on an old dairy farm opposite the Wingham Brush, he owned the old Post Office property at Knorrit Flat and made a full circle returning to his beloved (Ferndale) 'Ida Lake' Mt George.

Ossie, at the age of 98, continued to work his farm. Ossie and Alma were married for 71 years.

They were a very stylish couple, well dressed, well mannered and loved by all. Ossie was a true gentleman, loved music, cars and his friends. Always with a smile on his face, he was a bit of a larakin, but true to his word. He always said, "if you fell off your horse, you get straight back on it."

He enjoyed sharing stories of his time as a policeman and the adventures he had experienced.

Ossie's stories of his life were history in the making.

Ossie proudly took part in Anzac Day ceremonies and was thrilled to attend, as a special guest, the 75th anniversary of the battle of El Alamein, in 2017, at the Australian War Memorial.

Related: Ossie remembers the battle of El Alamein 75 years on

Ossie was a true hero, in every sense of the word. A man who had dedicated himself to his family, friends and proudly served his community, state and country throughout his whole life. Although it was with great sadness that we said goodbye to this man, his stories will never be forgotten.