A KEIGHLEY-born veteran of the Second World War in Burma and India has died on his 96th birthday.

William Butterfield died at his home in the USA, last month. (May) His daughter Margaret said: “My dad passed away on his terms at his home in Cottonwood, Arizona. He had wanted to reach his 96th birthday. Until the end he was slowing down but he was still active.”

Mr Butterfield was born in Keighley in 1922 and was educated locally. When he left school he worked on a farm in Haworth, then joined No 44 (Royal Marine) Commando in his late teens.

His daughter said: “ He trained in Scotland after boot camp and was billeted in Kent until being sent overseas.

“He served his military time during the war in India then Burma, and mentioned fighting in the jungles and having to be on the look out for snipers, who could be anywhere.

“Dad told me about the patrols that he and his troop would be sent on for days on end.”

Mr Butterfield was a member of the Burma Star and more recently the Veteran Commandos Association.

He first met the woman who would become his wife, Vera Klimov, in Germany, in 1946.

Margaret explained: “My mother was a Russian refugee, living in a displaced persons camp with her family. She and my father met again in 1948 after my mother moved to England, and they married on March 26, 1949.

“When my dad returned to Keighley after the war, he worked in mills, and as a fireman on the railway. He also worked as a night watchman, then was offered a job in the USA in 1967.

“My parents lived in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, with jobs varying from security guard, to estate management.

“In 1988, they moved to Arizona. My dad had retired but didn't like doing nothing. He took a job as a security guard at the local hospital, ‘for something to do’, and he kept in touch with family and friends.

“When he was 88 he bought a computer and became quite adept at e-mails and research. He liked a beer with his neighbour once a week. He didn't drink usually, but he enjoyed the company and talking about military matters.

My mum passed away in April 2015 and I asked my dad to move in with me.

“He was so independent that he wanted to stay in his home as long as possible with his dog, Skippy.

“My dad taught me independence, and I appreciate all the things that he taught me.”