Former registrar Gordon Clifford Perkins, who was regarded as a true gentleman, has died at the age of 89.

Mr Perkins, who lived in Chippenham, leaves his son Roderick, 56, daughter-in-law Fiona, grandchildren Christina, 24, Stephanie, 22, and step-grandchildren Faye, 22, and Max, 20.

His son Roderick, who lives in Chichester, said: “He was a gentleman, always polite and courteous, very thoughtful and a caring individual.

“He thought before he spoke and didn’t say impulsive things.”

Mr Perkins was born in London in November 1921.

He attended a local private school before joining the RAF as a flight engineer.

He continued with the RAF until 1947 when he left to work in the civil service for the prison service, Home Office and MoD before moving to Chippenham in the mid-1970s.

After he retired at the age of 60 he became registrar of births, deaths and marriages, a job which he continued for eight years until giving it up to look after his wife Barbara (nee Parsons) who was suffering ill health following a stroke.

Mr Perkins’s funeral will be held at Semington Crematorium at 12.15pm on February 23.

Donations in lieu of flowers should be donated through FW Jones & Son funeral directors in aid of the RNLI, which is one of the charities Mr Perkins supported.