He was 79 and living in Homington, his home village. He was divorced from his wife Helen and he leaves two daughters, Michele and Hannah and a son Jody.

He went to Bishop Wordsworth's School and afterwards turned to sheep and poultry farming with his father Ron on land in and around Homington. They then formed a partnership with Garth and Simon Parsons at Whelpley Farm, Whiteparish. This partnership continued on a small farm at Sherfield English in the early 1980s, and then in the early 1990s at Templemans Farm, Redlynch. More recently he continued to run some breeding ewes in Homington, he had a sheep shearing business with Jim Webb and for a number of years ran the Members Bar at Salisbury Racecourse for Byron Thomas.

Turning to rugby, after Bishop Wordsworth's School, he played for Salisbury RFC 1st XV and Dorset and Wilts RFU until the mid 70s when he was invited to join Bath RFC where he played prop very successfully for them for several years. Reliable legend has it that he lied about his age to join Bath! He actually made his Bath debut in the same game as Gareth Chilcott - a fine pair of bookends!

Pete with the 1st XV around 1980. Pete is standing, back row, 2nd from right

In the late 1970s he returned to Salisbury RFC to continue his rugby career here, initially in the 1st XV again and over the years progressing to the Stones, now the Old Bustards! Many of us have vivid recollections of him playing for the Stones/Bustards on Boxing Day in the annual charity games against Boobs & Co, the then Salisbury Ladies Team. He was always resplendent in dress and wellington boots!

Pete playing in the Boobs vs Bustards game in December 1991

He was immensely strong and tough but equally kind and gentle, and a good and generous friend to many. He also had an excellent singing voice and in the late 1970s when the Senior players staged a Ladies Night for wives and girlfriends, his singing was enchanting, when most of the rest certainly was not!

Latterly he joined the Salisbury RFC Old Rumblers Walking Group but sadly was last seen with us lunching at The Fox and Goose in Coombe Bissett some time ago now.

He will be sorely missed by many members of Salisbury RFC.

The funeral service will be held at Salisbury Crematorium, 2pm Wednesday 2nd September, followed by a wake at the Rugby Club. All welcome.

We have received tributes from several old friends of Pete.

From Chris Evans:

Pete and I attended BWS at roughly the same time and despite the two and a half year gap in our ages we did play in the 1st XV together. Whilst still at BWS we both also played for Salisbury 1st XV. We became good friends. In those great days of the late sixties and seventies Pete and I played many games together. I went off to college for three years and only played the early September, Christmas, and Easter games, while Pete was a regular except for his time at Bath RFC. From mid/late seventies we were teammates in some wonderful Salisbury teams.
I am so very, very sad to learn of his passing. Pete was one of the best players the Club has ever had - solid as a rock and capable of destroying any prop who was unfortunate enough to pack down opposite him. Above all, Pete was one of the greatest blokes anyone could wish to meet.
If there is such a thing as an afterlife I am sure Pete will have been welcomed with open arms by such Salisbury Greats as Jim Russell, Ian Sandell, Jim Newman, Tony Murley, Bob Baker, Arthur Bowden, Garth Parsons, Chris Whalley, Mark Clement, Paul Presland, Tim Woodrow, Rod Shipsey and so very many more.
Rest in Peace Pete, my condolences to all his family.

From Paul Birch:

He was a real top bloke with a great sense of humour and of course a much valued teammate.

From "Wingco" - Brian Weatherley:

A quiet man, but his opponents were aware of his innate strength. A treasured member of Salisbury RFC and a sad loss. But he will be remembered by many for a long time. May he rest in peace.