James Elliot, who has died, aged 92, was organist at St Lawrence Church in Winchester from 1949 to 1968 and helped establish a choir at the newly-formed St Barnabas Church in Weeke.

A former deputy secretary of the National Fire Services College in Brighton, Jim transferred in 1948 to the fire service in Hampshire.

After several years in administrative work, he changed careers and became a general welfare officer, working mainly for Civil Defence. His duties included evacuation and care of the homeless.

Jim retired in 1968 when Civil Defence was wound down but he continued as a church organist until he was 80.

It is for his contribution to church music as an organist and choirmaster that Jim is remembered best. He was also organist for Winchester Freemasons.

A friend, David Lowton gave an address at his funeral in Weston-Super- Mare, saying: "His particular strength was in the care and musical motivation of junior choristers.

"While organist at St Lawrence, he was offered the post at St Barnabas, Weeke. The easy thing would have been to refuse it and stay at St Lawrence where he was very happy.

"However, St Barnabas, being a new church on a developing housing estate, presented a challenge and, in a few years, he had built up a good choir with about 16 boys and a strong team of adults."

Jim stayed at St Barnabas until 1975 when he moved to Dawlish.

Mr Lowton, a former member of the St Barnabas choir, added: "Nor was he ever anxious to call it a day as he was appointed to Emmanuel Church when he was nearly 80."

Jim, who died on January 15th, is survived by his wife, Penny.