Born in Bath in 1920, Ronnie moved to Lymington to join the Lymington Borough Military Band in 1938. Although starting as a cornet player he soon changed to trumpet to do local dance work and even took up the alto saxophone before joining the RAF as a trumpeter.

During the war he served in India where he led the Air Force band in Bombay and it was here that he met with his future band-leader, drummer Eric Delaney. On demob Ronnie returned to the London scene playing at various hotels for three years - but once again moved back to Lymington and formed his own band. It was at this time that singer Rosemary Squires joined the group, a Horler discovery. There was a spell of touring with Roy Fox - and then home again. Soon after, Delaney approached him and back he went to the hectic touring scene.

Married, with two sons - son John is a busy pianist in and around London, has accompanied many visiting American musicians at Ronnie Scott's Club, played with Johhny Dankworth and in Maynard Ferguson's Big Band. His older brother brother Dave plays first trombone in the WDR Radio Big Band in Cologne, Germany.

Ronnie ran his own group, playing at the Dolphin, Botley, and for Saturday dances at the New Forest Hall, Brockenhurst. In later years he worked with various groups around Southampton.

The funeral is taking place at Southampton Crematorium on Monday 11th April at 11.00 pm followed by a memorial service at St Thomas Church St Thomas street Lymington,at 2.30pm - then a reception at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club (of which Ronnie was a member) at 3.30pm.

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