Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing Sen. David Burch will be representing Bermuda today at the funeral of former Governor Sir Desmond Langley, in England.

Sir Desmond, who was Governor of Bermuda from 1988 to 1992, was in his late 70s and succumbed to cancer more than two weeks ago at his home in England.

Sen. Burch, who left Bermuda on Wednesday night for Hampshire, England, was appointed the second in command of the Bermuda Regiment by Sir Desmond in 1990.

Prior to his departure, Sen. Burch said of the Island's former Commander-In-Chief: "He was the best Governor we have had in my lifetime. Sir Desmond was a consummate soldier and a great supporter of the Bermuda Regiment.

"He was a Commander-in-Chief par excellence and contributed greatly to the development of many of the men and officers of the Bermuda Regiment. I am honoured to represent Bermuda in tribute to this outstanding leader who served Bermuda so well."

Born in London in 1930, Sir Desmond was the son of the late Colonel Henry Langley, OBE and he was educated at Eton and the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the Life Guards in 1949.

Sir Desmond had a distinguished army career that took him to Germany, Aden, Egypt, Cyprus, Malaya, as well as Northern Ireland.

His last military appointment was Administrator of Sovereign Base Areas and Commander of the British Forces Cyprus. He retired in 1986 with the rank of Major General.

He leaves behind his wife, Lady (Felicity) Joan Langley and one son and one daughter.