Maurice Abrahams

The 76-year-old had worked for the Ringmer-based Chariots Chauffeurs for 20 years.

He had previously worked for Hampshire Police and served in the Grenadier Guards and the Parachute Regiment.

He was on his way to collect Rebecca Sheen, of Goring, for her wedding when he was killed by the Hawker Hunter jet crash.

Miss Sheen and her new husband Rajendran Asekaran only found out about the tragedy later on Saturday when her father saw a picture of the crushed car they were meant to have been in only moments later.

In a statement Mr Abrahams’ family said: “Maurice is a well-respected and loved father and husband. He enjoyed his work chauffeuring his beloved Daimler car and he enjoyed gardening.

“He was proud to have served in the Grenadier Guards and the Parachute Regiment. He served in Cyprus and Bahrain with the UN. In his thirties he served as a police officer with Hampshire Police.”

Even after retiring as a police officer, Mr Abrahams was known for his quick reactions when faced with a would-be criminal.

He appeared in The Argus in 2000 when he and his neighbour, close friend Fred Farley, tackled a knife-wielding car thief.

The late Mr Farley, nicknamed Fiery Fred because of his temper, was washing up when he spotted the thief through his kitchen window getting into Mr Abrahams’ car.

Mr Farley, who was 75 at the time, sprang into action, alerting Mr Abrahams.

The then 60-year-old chased the thief as he fled up the street.

Mr Abrahams told The Argus at the time: “He told me he had a knife so I didn’t take any chances. I raised an arm in the air to distract him and gave him a swift kick.”

He wrestled the thief to the ground and restrained him for five minutes before police arrived.