A FORMER vicar of Wolverley and Cookley, who had previously risen to the rank of major in the army, has died, aged 86.

The Rev Robert Circus died in Worcestershire Royal Hospital last Thursday.

He became vicar of Wolverley in 1976, combining that role with covering Cookley from 1981 until his retirement from the church in 1984. He was also president of the British Legion for both villages between 1978 and 2004.

Born in Essex in 1919, he married Agnes in 1948. She died in 2000. The couple had three children and four grandchildren.

In 1990, he completed a degree, with part two of a BSc in economics, for which he secured the first part in 1948.

He served with East African troops in Kenya, Ceylon -- now Sri Lanka -- India and Burma -- now Mayanmar -- during the Second World War.

As a Territorial Army soldier in the Essex Regiment before the war, he was commissioned into the King's Shropshire Light Infantry in 1940.

He was granted a regular commission in the regiment and retired from the army in 1950 with the rank of major.

As a result of his military service overseas, Mr Circus became interested in missionary work. After the war, he was adjutant of the 1st Battalion, the Shropshire Light Infantry in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan and was later a staff officer at HQ, East Africa Command.

Following two years of training for the priesthood, at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, he was ordained at Rayleigh.

The funeral will be held at St Mary's Church, Kidderminster on Friday, June 16, at noon, followed by cremation at Stour-bridge.

Mr Circus's ashes will be buried with those of his late wife in Wolverley churchyard.