A former teacher for nearly 20 years at Watford Grammar School for Boys has died at the age of 86.

Douglas Miller taught history at the grammar from 1975 until 1992 and was a popular master, affectionately known as 'Dougie' by the pupils, and notorious for his easy-going Irish humour and for handing out a record number of detentions during his time there.

At his retirement assembly, he was presented by a giant 'det' card by the boys.

Mr Miller became a teacher at the age of 48, having spent six years as an officer in the Royal Air Force and then worked for many years in personnel at the London head offices of two big insurance companies, the Prudential and Abbey Life.

He came from farming stock on both sides and was born and grew up in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, where he won a scholarship to Foyle College boys' grammar school.

After school he read history and political science at university in Dublin (Trinity College) and then joined the RAF.

Mr Miller had a reputation as an inspiring teacher with a particular passion for the two World Wars, leading a school trip to the WW1 battlefields every year.

He married Rosamond, and they spent almost all their married life in Chorleywood. They had three children Kathy, Tom and Stephen.

Mr Miller died on Wednesday, June 3, in Watford General Hospital. He had survived Rosamond by six years, and will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

The funeral will be held at Christ Church, Chorleywood, at midday on Tuesday, June 16.

Donations in memory of Douglas Miller can be made c/o James Peddles funeral directors (Rickmansworth), to Cancer Research or to the St Mungo's charity for homeless people, both favourite charities of his.