A former teacher, soldier, musician and councillor has died.

Geoff Tither, a former headmaster of Watford’s Chater School, passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. He was 72.

Mr Tither, who also served as Three Rivers District Council chairman, lived for many years in Oakleigh Drive, Croxley Green, with his wife Mary.

After leaving school at the age of 15 he joined the Army as a boy musician and later served as an official state trumpeter.

As his military career progressed he served with the Household Cavalry – representing it in shooting competitions – and with a front-line tank regiment.

He was later offered the chance to train as a helicopter pilot but rejected the opportunity in favour of a more settled family life and a highly unusual career change.

After a brief stint as an office manager he set his heart on becoming a teacher, overcoming objections from those who believed “trained killers” had no place in the profession, to win a place at Wall Hall College, where he was one of the first male students.

After completing a masters degree at Middlesex University he took up his first teaching post at Harvey Road School, in Croxley Green, much to the dismay of his sons Richard and Michael who were pupils there at the time.

He later set up youth orchestras and encouraged children to get involved with music, later becoming president of the South West Herts Music Association.

Such was his success at inspiring his young pupils that many went on to become professional musicians.

One of his proudest moments was when Princess Diana opened the rebuilt Chater School in February of 1988, when one of his youth orchestras played for her.

Outside of school life he became involved in the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and later became president of the South West Herts Association.

His interest in politics continued when he joined the Liberal Democrat Party and, in 1984, was elected to Three Rivers District Council, serving as chairman between 1989 and 1990.

After retiring in 1993 he moved with Mrs Tither to Shropshire, where he continue to sing with a community choir. Even though he was suffering from terminal cancer he continued to play and write music just two months before his death.

His funeral will take place at noon on Tuesday, September 28, at Emstrey Crematorium, Shrewsbury.