FRIENDS and colleagues have been paying tribute to schoolmaster, county cricketer and war hero George Chesterton, who died last Friday, aged 90.

Mr Chesterton passed away two weeks after he visited Buckingham Palace to be presented his MBE insignia by the Queen. He was appointed in the birthday honours list this summer for his services to the community.

Mr Chesterton, of College Grove, Malvern, served in the RAF during the Second World War, flying Stirling bombers, and taught at Malvern College from 1959 to 1982, when he retired after serving as acting headmaster.

He starred as a bowler for Worcestershire County Cricket Club for seven years, and later became its president.

He has served as president for numerous organisations, most notably Malvern Civic Society, which he was involved with since its founding in 1958. He was chairman from 1985 to 1992 and president since.

Malvern College head Antony Clark said: “George has been closely linked with the school for 76 years, and has always given us the benefit of his experience and wisdom. He will be greatly missed by us all.

He established some cricket scholarships so his name will live on, but most of all, he will be remembered by large numbers of Old Malvernians across the world.”

Roger Sutton, of Malvern Civic Society, said: “As chairman, president and president emeritus, he made a unique contribution to the society over many years which was rewarded this year by being appointed MBE.”

Andrew Murtagh, who published his biography, said: “He was one of those schoolmaster players who would get his kit out of the attic when the term ended and go and play for the county. Most professional cricketers have little time for amateurs but everyone was glad to see George when he came to play. Tom Graveney once told me he had never met a nicer man in the game.”

A thanksgiving service will be held at Malvern College Chapel on Thursday, November 29, at 2.30pm.