TRIBUTES have been paid to the oldest member of Malvern Rugby Club, who passed away recently.

Before his death at the age of 96, Bill Lock was the last surviving member of the club from its inception back in the 1930s.

Mr Lock attended King’s School Worcester and joined the club in 1935, becoming Hon Secretary the following year until activities were suspended due to the outbreak of the war in 1939.

He went on to become an officer in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), ending his career as Captain and having been mentioned in dispatches, which entitled him to wear the oak leaves on any medal ribbons. He had seen service in the Middle East, North Africa and Italy.

After the war, he qualified as an accountant, working for local firms until he joined the Gas Board (later British Gas) until his retirement. He then joined a local Probus club and acted as treasurer for several years.

Club chairman Peter Woods said: “At the Club, he became active after a split from the cricket section, acting as Treasurer from 1972 to 1984 and as President for two spells, 1978-80 and 1984-86.

“Bill was made an Honorary Life member in 1985, and he opened the new clubhouse in 2000 along with the late Cliff Willis, a team-mate from the 1930s. Bill was a regular attendee at club luncheons until failing health precluded this.”

Mr Lock’s funeral will be held on Wednesday (May 18).