Tributes have been paid to a "memorable" and "kind" former headmaster who died in August.

Martyn White, former head at Harnham Junior School, died at age 88.

Born in Wilton in 1935, Martyn attended Bishop Wordsworth’s School with his younger brother, Grahame, where he was taught by William Golding.

National Service then followed where Martyn was stationed with the air force at Western Zoyland where, in his own words, he “flew a typewriter”. 

Martyn then studied at St Pauls College, Cheltenham where, alongside teacher training, he joined forces with P.E. students in taking part in his lifelong love of sports.

In his earlier years, tennis and football were his favourites and contacts from Burcombe football days led to Martyn travelling to New Zealand and spending a number of months teaching over there.

On return to the UK, Martyn taught in Staines and then Larkhill before being offered the position at Harnham as headmaster in 1970.

He remained there for 26 years and took pride in maintaining his teaching skills, working with much valued colleagues and also developing relationships with other schools and running local events such as the Mini Marathon and Area Sports which still take place today.

Martyn WhiteMartyn White (Image: Ali Nuttall)

Cricket took over as Martyn’s favourite sport and he played for many years for Wilton, always counting his innings in balls faced and taking pride in the number of ‘not outs’ he achieved.  

Following retirement from teaching Martyn took the opportunity to travel extensively and followed the England cricket team on overseas tours and also enjoyed watching cricket with family members playing locally. 

He moved to Great Wishford and became very much part of the local community there.

Under a Facebook post in his honour, Martyn was described as a “true legend”, “top man” and a “brilliant headmaster” by former pupils, friends and relatives. One message said that he “set the tone for who I wanted to become”, and another shared how he was “kind to everyone”.

Martyn died on August 24 after a short respiratory illness and months living with dementia. He is survived by his children: Ali, Mary and Henry, and six grandchildren, who he shared with wife, Rosemary.