WW2 veteran that you 'could write a book about' passes away aged 99

Born and bred in Leigh, Ken Preter had his first traumatic war experience after clearing bodies from the bomb-battered rubble in Liverpool, aged just 16.

Ken was then conscripted to defend Nazi advances in Iceland and later to Australia in anticipation of an invasion of Japan, before the Americans dropped two atomic bombs on the country in August 1945.

Later recounting his war experiences to fellow veteran and amputee Peter Deluce, Ken said he saw "some of the worst things he had ever seen in his life" during the clean-up operation in Japan.

READ > Leigh prepare for Wembley with win over Leeds at Headingley

Ken served in Iceland, Australia and Japan during WW2 (Image: Compassion in Action)

Peter, 59, who served in the Army between 1985 and 1993, said: "I met Ken around 12 years ago at a veterans charity event, and although there's a big difference in age, he became my best friend.

"He didn't speak much about the war, but because I was also a veteran, he told me what he went through and I would just come to his house to listen to his stories.

"Some of the things he saw he said he wouldn't wish on his worst enemy, and he kept them to himself for years. With all the things he experienced you really could write a book about his life."

Describing him as the "nicest and kindest man [he] had ever met", Peter explained how Ken went on to work as a cable engineer after the war and met his wife Dora.

As Dora's husband had died in the war, Ken raised her child as his own and continued to do so after her untimely death aged just 42.

Ken brought up his wife's son as his own after his father's death (Image: Compassion in Action)

After issues with his blood circulation forced a leg amputation, Ken suffered a "horrible wheelchair accident" in which he was forced to have his other leg removed.

Despite being given a near zero chance of survival as he needed to be placed under anaesthetic at age 95, he battled through the operation and survived for another four years.

Peter said that this shows just what a fighter Ken is, and explained how a large veteran presence is expected at his funeral at Howe Bridge Crematorium on Wednesday, August 9.

The wider community is also encouraged to come along to pay their respects at the service, which takes place at 1pm.

Ken's funeral will take place at Howe Bridge Crematorium on Wednesday, August 9 (Image: Compassion in Action)