REAR Admiral Sir Peter Anson, a long-time servant of the Rowledge community, former High Sheriff of Surrey and Second World War prisoner of war, has died aged 93.

Sir Peter was born on July 31, 1924, the son of Sir Edward Anson, 6th Baronet Anson, and was educated at Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

He fought in the Second World War between 1941 and 1945, and was taken prisoner of war by the Japanese after his cruiser, the HMS Exeter, was sunk in the Second Battle of the Java Sea in March 1942.

Post-war, Sir Peter succeeded as the 7th Baronet Anson on June 26, 1951, and married Elizabeth Audrey Clarke, daughter of Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Philip Clarke and Audrey Doreen White, on April 16, 1955.

He later served as commanding officer on an array of ships as well as HMS Mercury, the Navy signals base, between 1957 and 1970, and Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Signals) from 1972 to 1974 before retiring in 1975, bringing to an end a distinguished 37-year military career.

Away from the military, Sir Peter was made a Companion of Order of the Bath in 1974, and served as chairman of Marconi Space Systems from 1985 to 1991, as well as chairman of the United Kingdom Industrial Space Committee and president of the West Surrey branch of the Institute of Directors.

He was chairman of the South West Surrey Conservative Association from 1987 to 1990 and in 1993 was appointed by the Queen to serve as High Sheriff of Surrey. Later that same year he was also appointed Deputy Lieutenant for the county.

Sir Peter’s wife Elizabeth, herself a long-serving Waverley borough councillor and mayor from 1987 to 1988, was invested as a Dame Commander, Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1995.

The couple lived for many years in Boundstone Road, Rowledge, where they held an annual barbecue for members of the Conservative Association, famously welcoming the new Prime Minister, Theresa May in 2016.

Paying tribute, Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey, said: “Sir Peter Anson was one of the most extraordinary, talented and wonderful people in Farnham. He was a true war hero - but because of his innate modesty you would never have known it. On civvy street no one could have done more for our town over very many years. He will be deeply missed. All of us who knew him feel it was a total privilege to have been a friend of such an officer and a gentleman.”

An avid follower of cricket at all levels, Sir Peter was club president of Rowledge Cricket Club during the 1980s, including in 1985 when the club qualified for the National Village Cup Final at Lord’s.

He continued to support the club throughout his lifetime, engaging and inspiring players, volunteers and supporters alike. See this week’s Herald sports pages for a tribute from club chairman Carl Baker.

Sir Peter died peacefully among his family on April 17 after a short illness, and is survived by his wife Dame Elizabeth, their two sons and two daughters, and six grandchildren.

A private family cremation will take place, followed later by a thanksgiving service at St James Church, Rowledge, at 2.30pm, on May 25.