Sydney Hook

Mr Hook was born in Oxford in March 1922, one of seven boys and two girls. After leaving school he went to work on the production line at Morris Motors, but with the outbreak of the Second World War he was keen to fight for his country alongside his brothers. He had to wait until he was 19 before he was called up, having volunteered his services a year earlier, and joined the RAF.

Trained as a member of ground crew, Mr Hook served in Gibraltar, Austria, Italy and Greece in the five-and-a-half years he spent in the RAF. Upon his return to Oxford, Mr Hook returned to his job at Morris Motors and worked at the Cowley plant until he retired aged 65.

In 1964 he met his future wife Freda Stone while playing darts with his brothers in an Oxford pub. His niece Gillian Richardson said: "He was absolutely devoted to her. He just did everything for her."

Following their marriage, the couple moved to Barton. It was around this time that Mr Hook became an active member of the Headington branch of the Royal British Legion.

He joined the group in 1965, and within three years he had become chairman of the branch — a position he held for 16 years. Mr Hook also held the position of vice president of the branch and eventually president, a post he held until his death.

He was asked on several occasions to read the Exhortation in Oxford on Remembrance Sunday and marched every year in the parade along St Giles.

Mrs Richardson said: "He was proud that he served his country and wanted to show his pride by marching with his colleagues who were in the war and served with him."

Mr Hook continued to travel around the country, even after his wife died in 2000, and was very independent, according to his niece.

She added: "He was a great uncle, he still thought of me as a kid, despite the fact that I have children myself."

Mr Hook passed away on Thursday, October 2. His niece said he will be greatly missed by all his family, friends and those who knew him through the Royal British Legion.