Former pupils of a devoted teacher who was so popular he kept the affectionate nickname “Sir” all his life raised more than £1,000 in his memory in less than two weeks.

Douglas Rabjohn, who has died at the age of 93, started teaching in 1948 at St James School in East Malling, and later Blacklands, also in East Malling, when it closed. During his career which lasted until 1985, he taught generations of local families.

An online appeal set up to pay for a memorial bench to him, said: “‘Sir’ as he was known to most of us, was a beloved and inspiring teacher who commanded the respect of the whole school and whom we never forgot.”

Affectionate tributes flooded in from former pupils. David Homewood said: “Best teacher ever always treated us well called me Shrimp a nice term of endearment kept me out of trouble such a nice man he will be sorely missed by all who had him as a teacher,” while Matt Cameron added: “Simply being able to recall such a great teacher after so many years says it all.”

Yesterday pupils were set to join family and friends at his funeral at St James the Great Church in East Malling, where the service would also include the well known assembly hymn Morning Has Broken.

Born in Birling, he went to school in Birling, Leybourne and Snodland. He had two younger brothers - one of whom was killed in action in the Second World War aged 20, and two younger sisters and an elder half-sister. His younger sister Margaret survives him.

After serving in North Africa and Italy during the war, he trained as a teacher at Goldsmiths College. He married Patricia in 1947 and they had two children, Julian and Felicity. She died in 1988.

A member of the Territorial Army, commanding the bomb disposal unit as a Major, he was also an active member of the West Malling Centenary Lodge.

A keen rugby fan, and follower of current affairs, he was a lifelong member of the Labour party.

An East Malling resident for many years, he lived in one of the school houses on the site of the St James School - now Manningham House - before moving to Snodland and then back to Mill Streetin East Malling in the 1960s until his death on February 16, supported by neighbours.

He leaves his sister, son and daughter, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
His son, Julian Rabjohn, said: “He was secretly chuffed to keep the name Sir all those years. It was a term of affection.”

To visit the online appeal go to http://www.gofundme.com/mohuvc