Bernard Cookson MBE died after a three-year fight against cancer. A memorial service will be held in his honour at St Mary's church in Warwick on Saturday.

Mr Cookson moved from Nottingham to Warwick with his wife Frances around 30 years ago and was involved in many aspects of town life.

But it was when he left school that he embarked on what would be an eventful and distinguished career in the Royal Navy.

He was aboard HMS Ibis on November 10, 1942, when she was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean by an Italian aircraft. Luckily Mr Cookson was rescued from the sea - but his lungs had been contaminated by fuel oil.

Not deterred by the experience, he continued in the service with the beach signal section.

And when the allies launched the D-Day landings to secure the Normandy beaches, Mr Cookson was attached to the Hampshire Brigade Assault Troops - sending and receiving messages to help co-ordinate the operation.

In 1946, he was demobbed with the rank of Lieutenant RNVR and joined the Royal Naval Reserve.

It was for his work in signalling and communication training that he was awarded the Reserve Decoration in 1971 and was made an MBE in 1976. In that year, he retired from the reserve with the rank of Lieutenant Commander RNR.

He went on to make a successful career in the distribution side of the oil industry and became a chartered engineer and member of the Institute of Energy.

He and his wife had two children, Hilary and Geoff, and three grandchildren.

In Warwick he became a staunch member of the congregation at St Mary's church where he was chairman of the fabric committee.

He was also chairman of the Abbeyfields Society committee and Warwick Lions Club and played a leading role in organising the annual carol concert at Warwick Castle.

Among other public duties, he was an honorary juror to the Court Leet - founded in 1554 by Royal Charter.

In 1997, he found time to join the committee of the Warwick Society and worked as the programme secretary for four years.

When ill health made it difficult for him to carry on he retired leaving a year's programme of events prepared and he continued to serve on the committee until 18 months ago.

His daughter-in-law Lynne Cookson said: "We all miss him terribly and we hope that everybody has a wonderful time at the service because that is what he would have wanted."

Warwick Society president John Turner said: "Bernard was the personification of reliability, always ready to help and generous with his time. We were fortunate in knowing him and will miss his good humour and welcoming, courteous warmth."

l Mr Cookson died on August 22 and a family funeral was held on August 31. The memorial service will start at midday.