VINCENT Boulter, who has died aged 96, achieved much in life despite a difficult start as an orphan.

In 1939, the War Office appealed for craftsmen to help the war effort and as a trained cabinet maker, he was an obvious choice.

He helped build light aircraft, landing craft and gliders used in the D-Day landings and other operations.

Later, he volunteered for the Army, arrived in France with the Royal Engineers soon after D-Day, then joined the Allied push across Europe to defeat the Germans.

On the way, he and his fellow soldiers cleared mines, built bridges and repaired roads, often under enemy fire, so that front-line troops could advance.

It was a remarkable achievement for a boy who spent 10 years being brought up and educated at The Poplars, a school for poor children at Cowley.

Once asked for his memories of the school, he replied: “Having porridge every morning, going to school with odd boots on and eating my first sausage after winning a cricket match.”

Life was hard for the youngsters, with strict discipline.

Mr Boulter later wrote a book on his experiences there.

The woodwork skills he learned as an apprentice at Greenings in Cowley Road were also put to good use after the war when he joined the maintenance team at Morris Motors in Cowley. He later worked at Selfridges, the Oxford department store.

Mr Boulter, of Titup Hall Drive, Headington, who passed away on November 25, ran a boys’ Sunday football team and won 15 prizes in Oxford in Bloom.

He belonged to numerous social clubs and his many interests included fishing, dancing, swimming, boxing and his family.

He leaves two daughters, two sons, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His wife Kath, whom he met at a Littlemore dance, died in 1994.

In a tribute to him, his family said: “His great ambition was to make people smile – he will be remembered for his wonderful cheerfulness.

“His stories and wicked sense of humour will be greatly missed.”

His funeral took place at All Saints’ Church, Headington, on Monday.