TRIBUTES have been paid to a Malvern man who helped sink the German battleship Bismarck and was awarded nine medals and a bar during his military career.

Wilfred Hoskins, a former Royal Marine who died at the age of 80, was a member of the elite regiment for more than 20 years before joining Malvern College to help train future servicemen.

When he left the forces he held the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor.

His funeral was attended by Colonel Roland Grant, of the Royal Marines, a former member of the Malvern College Combined Cadet Force. Mr Hoskins had also trained Col Grant's father in the Marines.

At the age of 20, Mr Hoskins, who joined the Marines as a 17-year-old, was on board a warship bound for Norway where he took part in the bombing of a bridge which killed around 450 Germans.

He also served on HMS King George V, one of the ships that sank the Bismarck.

"He was on one of the guns," said his daughter Sheila Magee.

He was awarded many service medals, including the Africa Star and Burma Star.

When he left the Marines, Mr Hoskins worked as a recruitment officer in Glasgow before joining the Malvern College staff in 1960.

He taught pupils unarmed combat and other hands-on training, and towards the end of his time at the college, took on the role as head porter, retiring in 1985.

College staff were among mourners at his funeral service at Worcester Crematorium.

Four past headteachers had written letters to be read at the service, which was led by the Rev Edward Cox, of Malvern Wells, who had taken part in the same expeditions as Mr Hoskins, but on other ships.

"We're very proud of him. He lived for the Marines,'' said Mrs Magee

Mr Hoskins, of Fruitlands, Malvern Wells, leaves a widow, his Sheila, and two grandchildren.