12/12/2025
Norwich, GB 10 C
Researching and reporting on the lives of some really interesting people (RIP)

BRADFORD FREEMAN, aged 97

A farm boy from Mississippi, he fought with Easy Company throughout World War 2 and got severely injured. He was the last survivor of the Band of Brothers.

LAWRENCE CHURCHER, aged 102

The last survivor of Dunkirk, he was rescued with both his brothers, but returned to France for D-Day. Also, the oldest supporter of his football team.

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.