Fred Horne, the former Chief Taxing Master of the Supreme Court and Honorary Life Vice-President of the ALCD sadly passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday night, two months before his 93rd birthday.

He began his legal career in 1938, when he became the youngest qualified solicitor in the country. His professional career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War Two the following year and during the war, he flew Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft, serving in Britain and as a training officer in Canada.

He returned to practice as a solicitor after the war and moved to Chorleywood in 1953, shortly before he became a partner in Iliffe Sweet and Co solicitors. In 1968 he retired from private practice and was selected as a taxing master of the Supreme Court, serving for 20 years until retiring at the age of 72 as Chief Taxing Master.

A distinguished cricketer and MCC member, he played for local teams into his 70s and remarkably even made a half century in his final innings. For much of the last five years he was devoted to caring for his wife, Madge. She survives him together with his four children, his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Son Christopher said: “He was a very kind and determined man who worked very hard to achieve what he did in life. He was certainly not a man to be trifled with.”

A service of thanksgiving will be held at 1.45pm on Friday, February 5 at Chorleywood Free Church – where he played the organ for more than 50 years.