AN UNUSUAL passion for military vehicles led to one Portland woman having an adventurous life full of famous faces and cheering crowds.

Poppy Butcher, who will be 88 on November 11 this year, has been organising the annual military vehicle parade for the Weymouth and Portland Armed Forces & Veterans Celebrations since 1994.

She has been looking back on her time organising the vehicles, and even further back to the time she grew up on Portland during the war.

Poppy is quite a character. Her home plays homage to her name, as pictures of poppies line the walls of her home, alongside a photo of Poppy with the Queen.

Poppy’s love for military vehicles was shared with her late husband, John Butcher.

Poppy and John married in 1948, and spent a lifetime together in the limelight in a band, and off stage collecting military vehicles.

Poppy and John at one time had three military cars, including a 1942 Willys Jeep which Poppy still has, and a 1938 Wolseley Staff car.

Poppy said: “We were just interested in the war and bought the Jeep in 1989. It cost us about £3000 when we bought it.

“My husband was so interested in it because he used to drive a Jeep for the Royal Air Force.

“We used to go across to France by ferry for D-Day every year in the Jeep. We would meet up with people from all over the world.

“We met so many veterans and stayed in touch with them for years.”

Poppy said: “With the parade, we thought so many troops and vehicles left from this area and we really should do something.

“I’ve made so many friends over the years through the parade. I’m allowed 80 vehicles in the parade and I get help from my family and friends getting the men in order!

“I just enjoy it, every year I say it’s my last year but I see all the people on the seafront cheering and it makes it all worth it.”

Through her love of military vehicles and war experiences, and no doubt due to her endearing personality, Poppy has met and hosted many celebrities.

From presenter Ruth Langsford, and magician Paul Daniels, a whole host of famous faces - including Tony Robinson and war veteran Simon Weston have interviewed and met Poppy. She met Robson & Jerome on set when they used her Wolseley Staff car for filming.

Two of Poppy’s favourite moments were meeting Dame Vera Lynn and the Queen.

She has undoubtedly lived her life fully. Poppy said: “I’ve done everything. From being a shorthand typist to a racing secretary, having a family, and singing in a band.

“I first started singing in 1945 with a big band, and then with The Johnny Day Band with my husband.” Poppy and John played at holiday camps in Portland.

She was born on Portland, and grew up in Albert Terrace during the war.

Her father was just 39 when he was killed while working in the dockyard on Portland.

Poppy said: “When you’re young you don’t feel the fear. We would go into the air shelter at night and in the morning come out and pick up the shrapnel which was still hot.”

Poppy remembers the Americans staying nearby when she was 16.

Poppy said: “We would go and dance in the church hall. The American sailors were stationed down the road and we got friendly.

“The sailors would come up for tea and cake and write their letters. But it was mostly dancing that everyone enjoyed!

“In 1994 it was the 50th anniversary of D-Day. We had a big dance at Weymouth Pavilion. A man came up to me and said ‘Excuse me, is that Poppy?”

It was Roy Deblieux tapping Poppy’s shoulder.

“He was an American who was stationed here that I used to dance with during the war!”

“We always like the old days, you know.

“We had some real good times.”