LEON GAUTIER, aged 100
Originally he signed up for the Free French before becoming a marine and part of the only French unit to fight at D-Day. He later became an advocate for peace.
HENRY PARHAM, aged 99
A young African American who was drafted into the war, he was on Omaha Beach during D-Day, protecting troops landing. It took years for him to get recognition.
DESMOND STANFORD, aged 101
A Norfolk car mechanic who joined the Royal Navy and ended up a hero on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.
MAUREEN SWEENEY, aged 100
An Irish post mistress, she also took weather readings. It was her reports that persuaded D-Day to be postponed because of a storm – thus ensuring its success.
MURIEL ENGELMAN, aged 101
A nurse in the US Army, she worked in a field hospital experienced D-Day and The Battle of the Bulge and was often in great danger and had a Christmas nightmare
PIPPA LATOUR, aged 102
The longest surviving female SOE agent working in occupied France, she paved the way for D-Day, but was never acknowledged by her male colleagues.
NORTON LEE, aged 98
After surviving the Arctic Convoys and wartime missions to Sicily, Salerno and Malta, he played a key role in D-Day. He was present at the Nazi surrender in the Netherlands and retired to be a huntsman.
LORNA COCKAYNE, aged 97
Recruited to Bletchley Park during the war she became one of the first ever computer operators – and read Hitler’s messages.
CAROLYN GRACE, aged 71
The world’s only qualified female Spitfire pilot who flew her own plane at airshows, she tragically died in the same manner as her husband.
EDWARD D. SHAMES, aged 99
Part of the ‘Band of Brothers’ he fought in many significant battles in the Second World War, liberated Dachau concentration camp and captured Hitler’s lair , the Eagles Nest.
Latest Posts
