And for more than 20 years, Rex Hancy devoted himself to the EDP's In the Countryside column, taking over from the late Ted Ellis who started the daily wildlife journal in the 1940s.

He excelled in a teaching environment but, following a painful accident, he was inspired to follow a path as a wildlife and nature expert.

An only child, Rex Clifford Hancy was born on September 18, 1929, into humble surroundings in the village of Ellingham in the Waveney valley.

The late Rex Hancy (Image: Newsquest)

An eager and quick learner, he went on to pass the 11 plus exam and was awarded a scholarship at Bungay Grammar School.

History, in particular, piqued Rex’s interest and after passing his GCEs, he went on to attain three A-Levels at sixth form.

In 1948, Rex carried out his National Service with the Royal Air Force.

While on leave he enrolled in a church youth club, where he would go on to meet his future wife, Barbara Hill.

With his National Service coming to an end he visited the headmaster at his former school, who suggested he should apply to the Teacher Training College in Chelsea, London.

Once qualified, he taught older children at a school in Wimbledon before moving on to teach at the John Milton Primary School in Battersea.

The late Rex Hancy and his wife, Barbara (Image: Newsquest)

Barbara and Rex married in 1952 and within two years they moved to Taverham, near Norwich.

In May 1959 they welcomed their first child, Adrian, and daughter Claire was born two years later.

Once settled in the area, Rex applied for a job with the Norwich Education Committee and began teaching at Thorpe Hamlet Junior School (later named Thorpe........

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