Cmdr William Burling Tributes have been paid to Commander William Burling, who died on March 8 at the age of 77.

He enjoyed a long and varied career in the Navy, from 1948 to 1993, witnessing nuclear testing off Australia and taking part in the Suez campaign in 1956.

He met his wife Jackie, who was a Wren on his staff in Londonderry. They had two daughters, Dannielle and Sarah.

His final posting was to Wiltshire where he was involved with the RAF and Army, working to amalgamate three departments, a job for which he was awarded the OBE in 1988.

The couple settled in Sutton Benger and Cmdr Burling threw himself into village life. He became chairman of the Traditional Club, was elected to the parish council in 1991 and served as chairman from 1997 to 1998.

He also completed nearly ten years as an LEA and Foundation Governor of Sutton Benger School and, as chairman, took the school from LEA control into Grant Maintained Status and was involved in securing funding to build the new school in 1999.

Cmdr and Mrs Burling retired to Devon in 1999 and a memorial service was held at Torquay Crematorium on March 18. Donations for Help For Heroes may be sent to T & I Stockman, 7-8 Churston Broadway, Paignton, TQ4 6LE.