An “inspirational”  former commander of a Black Country Territorial Army unit has died after a long illness.

Major Andy Berncastle, 55, was the Officer Commanding 871 Signal Troop, based at the Swinford Road TA Centre, Stourbridge, in  the 1980s. This unit was recently wound up under TA cuts.

He went on to command the troop’s parent unit, 67 (The Queen’s Own Warwickshire & Worcestershire Yeomanry) Signal Squadron based in Stratford-upon-Avon and served at the headquarters of 37 Signal Regiment in Redditch.

In civilian life, Mr Berncastle  was a pioneer of community transport and a passionate fan of  canal narrowboats, preserved railways and vintage buses. After leaving Sheffield University,  he joined the National Bus company, working in South Wales, Lancashire, Hereford & Worcester and Northamptonshire.

Diagnosed with skin cancer, he took early retirement in April, 2009, after serving for 10 years with Hampshire County Council where he was Public Transport Operations Manager and the driving force behind several key projects, including a local rail shuttle bus. He died at his home in Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire, on Saturday June 12.

Express & Star columnist Peter Rhodes, who served with Maj Berncastle in the TA, said today: “Andy was one of the most dedicated officers I ever worked with.

“He was devoted to getting the job done and was always concerned for the welfare of his soldiers at Stourbridge.

“He was an inspiration to us all and he will be remembered by many serving and former TA soldiers.”

Andy Berncastle  leaves a widow, Hilary.