A SECOND World War veteran born and bred in Bolton has died aged 93.

Walter Wood lied about his age to join up to the Territorial Army and was sent to fight in Normandy eight days after D Day, the Allies' seaborne invasion of occupied Normandy that turned the tide of the conflict.

The accomplished speedway rider and plumber died on September 23 and his funeral was held on Friday.

He was born one of eight siblings in Victory Street, Halliwell, and St Luke's Church in Chorley Old Road, Halliwell, played an important part of his childhood.

Walter was a pupil at Oxford Grove School until he was 13 1/2 and spent the final six months of his education at Whitecroft Road School.

He left school at 14 and began work for a plumbing business in Daubhill but eventually joined the Territorial Army.

His nephew David Wood said: "He pretended to be older so he could sign up and, I’m told, the main attraction for him was the two weeks of TA camp each year.

"He distinctly recalled how, on September 3 1939, when returning from exercises in Catterick, the train made a stop at Leeds Station and the Colonel relayed the order that they were all now on active service as war had been declared with Germany. "

Walter was deployed with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and after landing in France, moved up through Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany, where he saw the horrors of the Belsen concentration camp.

His nephew said: "After leaving the army in 1946 he went back to plumbing.

"He had a passion for speedway racing and tried to develop a professional career but unfortunately due to lack of sponsorship he had to find an alternative career.

"In 1949, attracted by a £60 per week wage, about 10 times what he would earn at home, he travelled to Bermuda to help in the construction of the Harbour Hotel, only to find the working hours were long: 7 days a week, 12 hours per day with only every fourth Sunday off.

"Following his Bermuda experience he travelled to the USA before returning to Bolton and work as a plumber."

Walter lived with his brother Ted and Ted's wife Edith in Clive Street, in Bolton town centre, and after his brother died he became Edith's carer.

His nephew said: "Walter had varied interests and once attempted to learn to play the organ. However it was generally acknowledged his enthusiasm was not matched by a musical talent.

"In later life his camaraderie with his army colleagues led him to be an active member of the Normandy Veterans Association.

"He was treasurer of the Bolton branch and he became quite a celebrity around the town appearing frequently in The Bolton News representing veterans of the Second World War.

"He participated in many commemorations in both France and the UK and was proud to be invited to a garden party for veterans held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace."

Walter, who remained an active member of Bolton Parish Church in Churchgate, Bolton, never married and had no children.