A man who was reportedly one of just two 'Bevin Boys' from Penryn called up to mine coal during WWII has passed away after several years of ill health.

Bill Blackmore went underground and worked on the coalface at the Britannia Mine in the Rhymney Valley in South Wales between 1944 and 1948 after just four weeks of training.

Born in 1926 at 17 Bohill, Penryn, he was the fourth child of Edward John and Olivia Adele Blackmore (nee Collins).

On leaving school at the age of 14 he started work in the nearby Fox Stanton joinery works, and after his National Service he returned to the joinery trade, becoming a highly skilled woodworking machinist.

Bill married Dulcie in 1951 at St Gluvias Church and had two sons - Colin and Alan. He was extremely proud of his three grandsons and four great-grandchildren.

He was a keen follower of local sport, and before getting married he played football for Treverva and was a lifelong supporter of Penryn RFC where, amongst other duties, he was an original member of the 'Tuesday Work Gang'.

When his two sons got heavily involved in competitive racing at Penryn Rowing Club he followed and supported and very soon was club treasurer and Rob Hilder’s right hand man.

His other great love was singing with the choir – specifically the Flushing based Nankersey Male Choir which he joined in 1955, not long after its inception in 1950.

In the last few years he was made an honorary member. He was also a founder member of the Falmouth Glee Singers, a small group of men who enjoy unaccompanied close harmony singing.

Billy never moved far from Penryn, a true borough man to the last.

His funeral will be held today at 11am in Penryn Methodist Church. The wake at Penryn Rugby Club follows immediately after, with a private committal at Penmount 16.00.