CYRIL Barrett was a true gentleman and will be best remembered for his role with the Aldbourne Band.

The 90-year-old, of Whitley Road, Aldbourne, always had a smile on his face and was a ‘Dabchick’ through and through as he was born in the village, in Lottage Road, and lived there all his life.

He was a bus driver for 46 years for Barnes Coaches, which had its depot in the village, and used to drive students to the Marlborough Grammar School and Marlborough Secondary Modern School, which later became St John’s.

If any of the youngsters used to misbehave he would drop them off at the bottom of the Ogbourne St George hill and make them walk up it to get home, much to the amusement of parents.

Since his death at home on November 24 after a short battle with cancer, his daughters Bev Castles, 62, of Marlborough and Laine Kimber, 55, of Aldbourne, have been overwhelmed by all the heartwarming messages they have received.

Mr Barrett also had four grandchildren; Max, Zoe, James and Oliver, who died when he was young, and four great-grandchildren; Ethan, Noah, Joey and Grace. He was widowed in 2008 when Audrey, his wife of 56 years, died aged 79.

He had one sister and five brothers and it was family tradition to join the Aldbourne Band. He joined aged 13 and played ‘till he ran out of puff.’ He was also very involved as one of two band librarians.

He used to play the E-flat bass and also served as treasurer, secretary, chairman and vice president during his time as part of the group.

Some of Mrs Castle’s favourite memories of her father are from when she was a young girl and joining him in the band as well as standing on his feet dancing.

He went to St Michael’s School in Aldbourne and left aged 14 but never went to his last day of school, as Mr Stacey came out his shop in The Square and told Mr Barrett, to his surprise, that he was starting that day as a butcher’s boy and it had already been agreed with his father.

He later went to work in the egg packing factory in Stock Lane and was conscripted to work in the mines in Coventry from 1943 aged 18, but was sent home after two years when he became ill.

Some of Mr Barrett’s hobbies included gardening and he was a fan of Katherine Jenkins’ music. He was also fondly known by some of his grandchildren as Grampy Rabbit, from the cartoon Peppa Pig.