Terry Fincher, one of Fleet Street?s finest and best-loved photographers, has died aged 77 after battling a long illness.

Four-times winner of the British Press Photographer of the Year, Terry had a globe-trotting career which took him to many war-torn locations.

He also covered royal assignments and, along with his photographer daughter Jayne, built a close personal relationship with the late Princess of Wales.

Terry (pictured) covered the Suez crisis, the Vietnam War and the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Amateur Photographer (AP) features editor Bob Aylott, a friend and former colleague, said today: ?Terry became weak and forgetful in his declining year, but still never left home without a camera in his pocket. His massive one-man retrospective exhibition organised by Getty Images – which ran for 6 weeks at Getty?s gallery earlier this year – was hailed as one of the most successful shows ever held.?

Terry, who lived in Surrey, began his career as a messenger boy in 1945, when he carried a small fold-up camera in his pocket. Aged 15, he decided on a career in press photography.

His death, from liver cancer on 6 October, came just weeks after the death of his wife June on 19 September.

He leaves three daughters, Jayne, Sally and Lucy.

For a full obituary see forthcoming issues of AP.

Picture credit: Bob Aylott

Terry Fincher dies

Picture below: AP’s Bob Aylott interviewed Terry Fincher for the 23 February 2008 issue. Images published included this one of a US Marine from the Vietnam War, captured on film in 1968

AP interview Terry Fincher