UK’s oldest D-Day veteran to join anniversary event

London: The UK’s oldest surviving D-Day veteran will attend a special service to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the landings.

Donald Rose, who turned 109 on Christmas Eve, will be a special guest at the service at Derby Cathedral on Thursday.

Allied forces landed across five beaches in northern France on 6 June 1944.

Mr Rose, who was shot in the leg during the operation, said: “D-Day to me was just another battle.”
Mr Rose, of Ilkeston, was a driver during the operations in Normandy.

He said: “Our job was to cover the people on foot. We had lots and lots of fighter planes overhead to stop the Luftwaffe from interfering with us.

“I don’t like talking about the war.

“It brings back a lot of terrible things.”
Mr Rose was born in 1914 and served on the front line with the 7th Armoured Division.

Mr Rose joined the Queen’s Royal Regiment aged 25 and served in North Africa and Europe before training as a sniper.

His son, David Rose, said: “He’s my father, he’s my hero.

“We have to thank him for what he did, but I don’t think there are words that can thank him and all his comrades.”
Mr Rose’s war medals include France’s highest award – the French Legion of Honour.

Last year a public appeal for people to send him birthday cards saw him receive more than 150 messages from well-wishers, while he received a visit from the Mayor of Erewash on the most recent Armistice Day.

The, in April, a Spitfire flypast was held in his honour as part of Erewash Borough Council commemorations to remember World War Two and honour the armed forces.

He will be among veterans at Derby Cathedral’s public service which takes place from 17:15 BST.

Following the service, the Cathedral bells will peal, and refreshments will be served for those who wish to stay.

His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Elizabeth Fothergill, said: “The D-Day 80 celebrations in Derby will be a poignant tribute to the courage and heroism of those who served.

“It is a time to come together as a community and honour their legacy.”
The Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby, said: “We are privileged to host this commemoration at Derby Cathedral, a place of solace and reverence.

“Let us gather in unity to pay tribute and express our gratitude.”