Tributes have been paid to long-serving Greenwich Conservative councillor and armed forces veteran John Hills, who has died aged 86 after an illness.

A much-liked figure across the council chamber at Woolwich Town Hall, Hills had served as a councillor for 24 years after winning a by-election in New Eltham in March 2000. 

His last election win came in Mottingham, Coldharbour & New Eltham two years ago, when he was one of just three Conservatives out of 55 councillors to be elected.

Despite their political differences, many Labour councillors would make time to chat with Hills – who was the borough’s armed forces champion – before meetings. He had been too unwell to attend meetings for a year but continued working in his ward. 

Matt Hartley, the Greenwich Conservative leader and his fellow councillor in the ward, said: “John was one of the most modest and unassuming people you could ever meet, and yet his contribution to public life in our borough was immense. He worked tirelessly for the area that he represented for an incredible 24 continuous years.

“John will be missed by so many residents across Mottingham, New Eltham and the Coldharbour Estate who he helped over that time – and by all of us who were lucky enough to call him a friend.

“In his own quiet way, John was a giant of Greenwich politics – universally liked and respected – and unfailingly kind and generous with his support and encouragement to others. At this difficult time, all of our thoughts are with John’s loving family, who were the centre of his world.”

Cathy Dowse, a Labour councillor in the same ward, said on social media of her Conservative counterpart: “John was everything I could have asked for in a ward colleague – thoughtful, kind and helpful. 

“John was extremely encouraging to me and I am very grateful that I got to know him and learn from him.”

Anthony Okereke, the council’s Labour leader, said: “John’s loss will be felt not only in his ward, but across Greenwich. He was a gentleman who was rightly proud of both his links, as well as that of the borough, to our armed forces. 

“We are very lucky to have had such a selfless and dedicated councillor sit in our chamber.”

Okereke’s predecessor, Danny Thorpe, said on social media that Hills was “a community champion and someone who always had a smile for everyone”.

Former Conservative councillor Charlie Davis said: “You could barely go five minutes knocking on doors before you found someone John had helped.”

Roger Tester, a former councillor and the deputy chair of Greenwich Conservatives, said:  “I learned so much from John’s commitment to his residents and helping them with problems.  He leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.  All of our thoughts are with John’s wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who he was completely devoted to.”

One of Hills’ last contributions to a council meeting came in May 2022, when he paid tribute to Len Jones, a Second World War veteran from Eltham who had recently died aged 102.

“I knew Len 40 years ago and I marched with him at the Cenotaph for 25 years, every year,” he said. “He never missed. And I never missed. I myself am ex-armed forces from 1955, which is a long, long time. Len and I got on like brothers, so God bless you, Len.”

Hills’ passing means a by-election will be held in Mottingham, Coldharbour & New Eltham at a future date.