Nine members of All Saints Church choir in Oaksey, joined with members of the All Saints Church choir in Crudwell, to sing at the Requiem Mass for the Reverend Sidney Hinkes who has died aged 81.

The funeral of Mr Hinkes took place at Crudwell Church at noon on Saturday, following his death on February 8.

Mr Hinkes, of Bremilhan Road, Malmesbury, was one of a team of Anglican ministers serving rural north Wiltshire, working in recent years mainly in the parishes of Crudwell, Oaksey, Ashley, Hankerton and Long Newnton.

Born in Dagenham, Essex, he met his wife Elsie at the age of 14 on a train as school children being evacuated from London to the West Country during the Second World War. Their meeting was only fleeting but friendship blossomed.

It was after being evacuated to Ilfracoombe that Mr Hinkes became a member of the local Scout group run by the master curate at the parish church.He became dedicated to the church and by the age of 16 knew he wanted to be a priest.

Mr Hinkes made contact with Elsie again after receiving his call up papers in 1943. He went on to serve with 6 Airborne Division in the Ardenne and the Rhine during the Second World War.

He became an active peace campaigner and was ordained in 1952.

He soon became well known for attending anti-nuclear demonstrations and travelled to Russia, New Zealand and the Balkans to help campaign.

He was a leading member in the Stop the War Coalition throughout the Iraq conflict.

Mr Hinkes leaves his wife Elsie, with whom he celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary last year, five children and three foster children.