Derek Wicks Former Witney publican and wartime pilot Derek Wicks has died at the age of 80.
For seven years he and his wife, Joyce, kept the Butchers Arms in Corn Street, one of seven pubs they ran during a lengthy career in the trade.
After leaving for a short while to run another pub in Rugby, they returned to the town to live in retirement in Vanner Road.
Born in south London, Mr Wicks joined the RAF at 18 and was soon flying solo. He became a fighter pilot and flew in combat during the Second World War.
In early 1941 he was posted to India with No 5 Squadron flying Mohawk fighters. He was involved in many dogfights with Japanese aircraft during the Burma campaign while supporting British and Indian troops.
He left the RAF in 1946 and went into cinema and theatre management and married Joyce in 1950. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary less than two years ago.
Mr Wicks leaves his wife, four children and seven grandchildren. His funeral has already taken place.
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