RENOWNED flea expert, teacher and Spitfire pilot Bob George died peacefully on November 9, aged 92.

One of only a handful of siphonapteraeologists in the country, Mr George discovered his passion for the tiny bloodsucking insects while working as a biology teacher in the 1950s.

He collected some 200,000 specimens, among which he discovered around eight new species, and eventually compiled an Atlas of the Fleas of Britain and Ireland.

Mr George was brought up in Gloucester and attended the Crypt School, where he would later teach students himself.

As a boy, he was already fascinated by biology and the natural world but he was forced to put his studies on hold during the Second World War, during which he joined the RAF.

Based partly at RAF Ibsley, near Ringwood, Mr George flew Spitfires with 616 Squadron in reconnaissance missions over occupied France, later also piloting the Gloster Meteor, Britain’s first fighter jet.

Back in Gloucestershire after the war, he trained as a teacher and began a collection of beetles, but became interested in fleas after sending off a sample he found on a trapped mouse to the Natural History Museum.

He learned that one of the miniature beasts he had found originated from the Black Sea area and realised the benefits of delving into what was a relatively unpopular field of study, encouraged by the Hon Miriam Rothschild.

Despite a brief dalliance with the tiny fairy fly, Mr George remained loyal to fleas for the following 60 years, receiving weakly parcels of specimens for identification from curious pet owners, naturalists and animal rescue centres.

In 1988 Mr George appeared on the BBC’s Going Live programme, appealing for people to send him fleas combed from their pets.

Speaking to the Daily Echo about fleas only a few years ago, Mr George said: “Fleas have got just as much right as we have or an elephant has to exist.

“Animals, even fleas, aren’t there for our purpose.

“They have their own role in the world.”

After working as principle at an adult education centre in Cambridge, Mr George and his wife of more than 62 years, Dorothy, retired to Bournemouth some 30 years ago, living in Charminster and later Queen’s Park.

Mrs George died at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital at the end of May 2005, aged 83.

A funeral service will take place at Bournemouth Crematorium on Tuesday, November 26, at 12pm. Family flowers only.