Donald, 109, salutes D-Day comrades

Erewash has paid tribute to its war heroes on the 80th anniversary of D-Day – as the borough’s most famous old soldier made a special pilgrimage at the age of 109 to remember his comrades.

Donald Rose is the nation’s oldest World War Two veteran – and the oldest survivor of the Normandy landings.

The ex-Desert Rat marked Thursday 6th June 2024 by journeying from the Ilkeston care home where he lives to be a VIP guest at a commemorative service in Derby Cathedral.

Donald was shot in the leg during the D-Day landings. He was part of an advance party in 1944 that placed what were known as beacon lamps on beaches so the Allies could establish their bridgehead to liberate Europe from Hitler and the Nazis.

The lamps flashed a Morse code letter every seven seconds so landing craft packed with troops could find their designated drop-off zone.

In recognition of his courage, Donald was given France’s highest award – the Legion D’Honneur.

Deputy Mayor Harry Atkinson also attended the Derby Cathedral service – while back in Erewash, commemorations were held at Ilkeston’s Cenotaph and Long Eaton War Memorial. Mayor of Erewash Cllr Kate Fennelly also attended both events in the borough and was joined at the Cenotaph Service by the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill, 

Mrs Fothergill then headed to the Erewash Museum to view its Yarns of Valour exhibition which features a life-size crocheted statue of a soldier.

Special 80th anniversary flags flew as bells rang out across the nation. An official, specially written poem included the line: “More than five thousand ships, the biggest Armada ever seen, sailed from British shores and our fields of green.”  

It ends: “Over ten thousand casualties the Allies had that first day. With over four thousand dead, a heavy price to pay.  D-Day made heroes, in that hell unknown. Helping turn the tide of war, as the enemy were overthrown.”

Donald’s son David Rose, 74 – a retired NHS hospital technician living in West Hallam – said: “He didn’t want the medals, he wanted no fuss at all and he just got on with it.”

The old soldier’s invitation to Derby Cathedral comes a month after the Canal Vue care home organised a wartime-themed party for him.  It was covered by the local TV news and included a Spitfire flyover.

Naomi Allsop, who is Donald’s care home activity co-ordinator, said: “He’s a beautiful soul inside and out. All the staff love him.”