A WAR veteran who has died at the age of 90 has been described by his son as “the perfect father”.

Victor Charles Slaughter, who was just a teenager when he escaped advancing German forces on the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940, died peacefully on December 13, according to his family.

His death comes only nine months after the loss of his wife Ellen, who he met in his native Brighton, and married in York in 1945.

David Slaughter, of New Earswick, told how his father joined the army at 17 after lying about his age.

He said: “It was a great honour to fight for your country and he was in active service at 17.

“He was a gunner in the Royal Artillery and served throughout the war in Egypt, Italy and Dunkirk.

“He was trapped on the beaches at Dunkirk and rescued by a tiny boat from England. I remember him saying it was a nightmare with people everywhere. He was reported missing a couple of times and they thought he was dead, but he popped up again as usual.”

Victor met his wife Ellen, who was originally from York, while she was billeted with his family in Brighton while serving as a Land Army girl.

The couple lived in York briefly following their marriage at St Joseph’s Church, in Burdyke Avenue, but moved to Brighton following the death of their first child at only six months old.

It was in Brighton that their son David was born in 1949. He grew up there before moving to York in 1980.

His parents soon followed and the whole family settled in the city, where Victor worked as a plumber.

After retirement, he spent time pursuing his love of game hunting and shooting and spending time with his family.

David said: “He idolised me and my wife and two daughters.

“He was very content and never jealous of anybody. He lived in a council house with a pension and was envious of nobody.

“He had a massive sense of humour. If he went into a pub he would have a group of people around him because he had such a contagious laugh. He was the perfect father.”