Former headteacher Douglas Draper has died at the age of 91.

He was born in Barry Island, South Wales, and qualified as a teacher at Carmarthen College before completing his national service in the Royal Army Educational Corps.

He began his teaching career in 1950 as physical education master at Cowplain Secondary Modern and it was at this time he became reunited with his childhood sweetheart Joy, who had moved with her family to the IW.

They married in 1949 and after briefly living in Cowplain, moved to the Island.

Mr Draper worked at Fairy Court School in Shanklin before being appointed head of geography at the Fairway Secondary School in Sandown in 1953, where he became deputy headmaster in 1967.

On the introduction of the comprehensive system, he was appointed headteacher of the new Somerton Middle School, where he remained until his retirement from the profession.

Mr Draper was a former lightweight boxer, a past chairman of the IW Schools' Amateur Boxing Association, past president of the IW branch of the National Association of Schoolmasters, and a former member of Ryde Round Table.

The Drapers had 61 years together until Joy died in 2013, and Mr Draper spent the last three and a half years living at Springfield Nursing Home in Shanklin. It was his choice of home, based on it being run by an ex-pupil, Lisa Newnham. He was very happy there and was well cared for by staff.

Mr Draper leaves his daughters, Karen and Vaughn, and their families. He viewed his past pupils as 'family' and remained in touch with many of them, remembering them all.

A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on April 19 at the Church of Good Shepherd, Lake, followed by a service at the IW Crematorium at 1.30pm and a wake at The Fighting Cocks, Arreton. All are welcome.

Family flowers only. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society directly or through William Hall.