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

Mr Chesterton died two weeks after he went to Buckingham Palace to receive his MBE from the Queen.

He was awarded the gong in the summer’s birthday honours list for services to the community.

Mr Chesterton, of College Grove, Malvern, served in the RAF during World War Two flying Stirling bombers.

After the war, he was a teacher at Malvern College from 1959 to 1982 when he retired after serving as acting headmaster. He also bowled for Worcester-shire County Cricket Club (WCCC) for seven years and later became its president.

Mr Chesterton has served as president for numerous organisations such as the Malvern Civic Society, which he was involved with after it was set up in 1958.

Antony Clark, head of Malvern College, 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.”

Malvern Civic Society’s Roger Sutton said: “He made a unique contribution to the society which was rewarded by being appointed MBE.”

Andrew Murtagh, who earlier this year published Mr Chesterton’s 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 for the rest of the term.”

Martyn Price, WCCC chairman, said: “George’s involvement in many aspects of the club over the years means that he was well known by many of our members and supporters and he will be remembered fondly.”

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