A former Squadron Leader who was awarded five medals for his service in the Second World War has died aged 95.

Edward Vingoe Clarke, known as Nobby, passed away at Heathfield Nursing Home in Bletchingdon, after suffering with dementia.

Born in Plymouth and brought up in Malta, Mr Clarke came to the UK in 1935 to train as a vet.

He worked in Torquay, but volunteered for the RAF at the outbreak of war in 1939.

His son David said: “He stated his occupation was a railway porter, as being a vet was a classified occupation (which could have prevented him joining).”

Mr Clarke gained his wings when he was 25 and married Pamela Crosland in December 1941. They were married for nearly 66 years until she passed away in 2007.

During the war, Mr Clarke worked as a flying instructor before joining 62 Squadron South East Asia Command in the Burma campaign.

He flew supplies into the war zone and worked to bring troops out. He was awarded five medals.

Following the war, he practised as a vet in Oundle, Northamptonshire, before moving to Oxford to join the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Marston Road.

From 1950 until his retirement in 1980, he became well-known to farmers throughout Oxfordshire and helped the ministry to eradicate numerous livestock diseases.

Mr Clarke was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 1977 and the Duke of Edinburgh Recognition Certificate in 1989, mainly for his work with animal husbandry for the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme.

An accomplished rifle enthusiast, he was also a keen gardener and DIY expert. He and his wife had three children, Christopher, who died in 1994, Anthea and David, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

David said: “He was a very outgoing chap, he was always whistling and telling jokes.”

Mr Clarke’s funeral will be held at SS Gregory and Augustine, Woodstock Road, Oxford, at 10.30am on Wednesday.