A memorial service was held in Croydon yesterday for a beloved teacher who died from cancer in May aged just 58 years old.

Keith Andrew Smith MBE who devoted 36 years in the history department at Whitgift School, was an inspirational figure.

He was awarded an MBE in 2013 for his services to the Combined Cadet Forces at Whitgift and the local youth offender team.

He introduced fencing to Whitgift and in 2000 he was elected British Fencing President and he also refereed at three Olympics games.