ONE of Gravesend Grammar School's best known former pupils has died after a short battle with cancer. Dr Rupert Cook was born in 1929 and lived in Meopham before emigrating to Canada in 1967.

While studying at Gravesend Grammar School, he was captain of both the cricket and rugby teams He also played the viola in the orchestra. Before moving to Canada, Dr Cook was heavily involved in the community. He was a King's Scout, and a member of Meopham Young Farmers and Meopham Players.

At Oxford University he read Philosophy Politic and Economics, playing rugby for the cup-winning Brasenose team and presented with an Authentics cap for cricket. After university he continued playing rugby and cricket in Meopham, and also became a Meopham councillor.

After he moved to Sudbury, Ontario, Dr Cook was head of the economics faculty at Laurentian University. His sister, Elizabeth Cook, who still lives in Meopham, said: "He was an academic and a good sportsman. Those are the two things in which he was outstanding. He also went skiing and canoeing, and had a great sense of humour."

He was diagnosed with cancer in November. A memorial fund is being established for students at Laurentian University to remember Dr Cook.