Mr Burniston, who lived in Edinburgh Road, Newmarket, died at his home on March 22. He was 94.

Born in Blackburn, Lancashire, he attended Blackburn Grammar School and was a military policeman from 1939 to 1945.

After the war, he worked for National Savings and then the Ministry of Labour where he was clerk to the chairman of the Medical Board for those entering National Service.

In 1960, he was transferred to the Department of Employment at Godolphin House on the corner of The Avenue, Newmarket, from where he retired in 1978.

A Freemason, he was also a member of the Rotary Club of which he was president in 1982.

After retiring, Mr Burniston and his wife, Louisa, enjoyed many holidays, including a cruise on the QE2 to America followed by a return flight on Concorde.

During his later years, he took up painting and writing poetry and continued mending and repairing things for his friends and family.

A widower since 1999, he leaves four children, Ella, Beryl, Paul and Neville, five grandchildren and one great-grandson.

His funeral was held at West Suffolk Crematorium, on April 3 and the service was conducted by the Rev Graham Locking.

Donations in his memory can be made to Marie Curie Cancer Care at Southgate of Newmarket.

Family mourners were: Ella Harvey, Cyril Harvey, Beryl Cary, Paul Burniston, Aileen Burniston, Christopher, Heidi, and Nick, Neville Burniston and Nikki Dale.

Other mourners were: Mr and Mrs F J Barton, Eric Christan, Malcolm Cole, Sue Crawley, Liz Megson, Terry Tatum and Toni Clarke (Darley), Terry Fallon, Andrew Fleet, Ann Fleet, Paul Gillingwater, Keith and Margaret Harper, Peter Harrison, Robert Hicks, Michael and Jean Holmes, Nigel Holmes, Chris Hurrell (rep The Master and Members of Etheldreda Lodge), John Jarvis, John Gray, Graham Kent, Michael and Madelaine Knight, Jan Larkin, Eric and Maureen Maffey, John Palmer, Keith and Pat Paterson, Gordon and Mary Reeve, Mary Rix, Peter and Denise Rust, Douglas Soper, Julie Sparrow, Stuart Sparrow, Mrs R Taylor, Steve Taylor, David and Wendy Trent (Simon and Helen), Joyce Leggett, Keith White, Sue White, John Yates, Wendy Osborn and Neville (Jane Miller).