A MALVERN man who took part in the operation to sink the Bismarck and later trained the Combined Cadet Force at Malvern College has died at the age of 80.

Wilfred Hoskins, from Fruitlands, Malvern Wells, joined the Royal Marines in 1937 and was soon to see action, taking part in a successful assault on a bridge at Narvik, Norway.

The following year, he was in the gun turret on HMS King George V during the battle that ended with the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck.

Former Malvern College master George Chesterton, speaking at the funeral at Worcester Crematorium, said "Hosky" had modestly recalled that his chief concern was the ship's cat, which had just had kittens.

Mr Hoskins came to Malvern College to work with the CCF in 1960 on his retirement from the Royal Marines and stayed until 1984, being head porter for the last 12 years.

"Generations of Malvernians will remember his lessons in unarmed combat, accompanied with blood curdling stories of former exploits in the Royal Marine commandos," said Mr Chesterton.

The service was conducted by the Rev Edward Cox, of Malvern Wells, who also took part in the action at Narvik. Mr Hoskins leaves a widow Mina, daughter Sheila and two grandchildren.