Reuben Christopher Alias, one of only four black Bermudians to serve in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War, has died, aged 84.

Mr. Alias ? who was also the first black to be appointed a clerk to Magistrates? Court and assistant to the secretary to the Cabinet ? passed away at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on Monday. Mr. Alias, of Hill Top Drive, Southampton, was born on the Island on December 11, 1921, and was educated at Central, West End and Northlands schools and the Berkeley Institute.

He studied at the business school of the Sir George Williams College in Montreal.

During the Second World War, he was conscripted into the Bermuda Militia Infantry (BMI) and later served in Canada and England in the RAF, along with three black Bermudians from the Bermuda Militia Artillery (BMA).

In 1957, aged 36, he volunteered for service in the BMA as a private soldier and earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant two years later.

He eventually resigned his commission, with the rank of Captain, from what had become the Bermuda Regiment.

Mr. Alias joined the Bermuda civil service in 1951 as a temporary clerk in Magistrates? Court, eventually being promoted to senior clerk.

He served as assistant to the secretary to the Cabinet, then became the first person, black or white, to be appointed civil administrative officer of the Bermuda Defence Board.

His last civil service appointment was in 1976 as chief immigration officer, a post from which he retired in 1981.

Mr. Alias, a freemason, was made an MBE in the Queen?s New Year?s Honours List in 1972 and was presented with the Bermuda Government?s Special Achievement Award in 1985. Both awards were given for his contribution to association football on the Island.

He participated as a player, referee, coach and administrator for the sport and served as vice-president of the Bermuda Football League and chairman of the Bermuda Football Association.

His friend Dr. Gerard Bean, chairman of the National Sports Centre, paid tribute to him last night. He said: ?He was a very articulate, very intelligent and very thorough person.

?He had many ?firsts? and he was able to move from one sphere to another with relative ease. He was also a very loyal friend.?

Mr. Alias leaves behind his second wife, Elvira. The couple were married in 1961 and had no children. A private funeral and cremation will take place on Friday.