A LONG-SERVING master at Sir William Borlase's Grammar School has died following a stroke.

George Dewhurst, known as Dewey, taught at the West Street school for almost 40 years and was a founding member of Marlow Rugby Club. He died on January 4, aged 85.

The father-of-two was born in Blackburn in 1915 and moved to Marlow to take up a post at the school in 1938. He remained at the school as a geography teacher until his retirement in 1975.

Caroline Cook, Mr Dewhurst's daughter, said: "He never lost his soft Lancashire burr, which will be affectionately recalled by those whom he addressed in the classroom on the joys of geography or urging on his beloved school rugby team from the touchline."

His service at the school was interrupted by the war when he joined the Royal Air Force. After a while he was offered the post of drill instructor at the National Training Centre but turned this down and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the meteorological section.

In 1948, along with several others, he founded Marlow Rugby Club with matches being played initially at Pound Lane before moving to River Park Drive.

Mrs Cook added: "Many will have fond memories of him on the touchline with his collar turned up against the biting wind from the river accompanied by me and his dog."

She added: "My father was recognised rightly by all who knew him as man of integrity and high standards and in more ways than one a gentleman of the old school.

"He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him and as a result benefited from his sense of fair play wisdom and kindness."

He moved to Northumberland with his wife to be close to his daughter three years ago.

He leaves behind his wife Enid, two children, Caroline and John, and three grandchildren.