DON McGregor, a well-known man in Abingdon and Dorchester-on- Thames, has died aged 78.

Mr McGregor moved to Abingdon from Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, where he had been head of St Thomas More High School for Boys.

Working as education officer at Huntercombe Youth Custody Centre and then head of department at Henley College, he later attended Brasenose College in Oxford where he gained an MSc in Educational Studies.

He was a well-known figure in Abingdon and on retirement became involved in many local organisations. He worked for the Citizens' Advice Bureau, was chairman of governors at Our Lady's Convent Senior School, a member of the Abingdon branch of Amnesty Internation and a member of the local Probus club.

He regularly helped the team of readers for the Didcot, Abingdon and Wantage Talking Newspaper.

In 2000, Mr McGregor moved to Dorchester-on-Thames with his partner Helen Wigmore. His particular interest was with the museum and historical society and he had recently finished Lest We Forget, a book about men from Dorcester on gave their lives in the two Wolrd Wars.

He was instrumental in contacting the Commonwealth War Graves Commision and organising a grave for a young man from the village 88 years after his death.

He moved to Cornwall in March to be close to his two daughters. He is survived by Helen, his four children and five grandchildren.