Richard Longman, a man who dedicated his life to his family, has died aged 87 after losing a two-year battle with cancer.

Mr Longman was born in Iffley Village, Oxford, one of eight children. He joined the Royal Navy in 1940 and saw action in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, finally returning to England in 1943 after his right leg was badly injured in an explosion.

He returned to live at his parents' home in Oxford and within months he had met his future wife Daisy at a village fete.

His daughter Rachel Ridges said: "I think my dad was damaged when he returned from the war, traumatised by everything he had seen. He used to say that mum saved him.

"He loved her so much and was a fantastic husband and father. I will always remember our family holidays to Devon and dad making me and mum laugh the whole way down to the coast.

"It was his nature to be funny and the centre of attention. He loved nothing more than to make people laugh."

The couple moved to Marston, setting up home in Hugh Allen Crescent, where Mr Longman lived until he passed away.

After the war he worked at the Pressed Steel Company in Cowley and was a keen gardener. He passed away at home on April 22.