BRITAIN'S OLDEST SURVIVING WW2 VETERAN - AGED 109 - HONOURED WITH SPITFIRE FLYOVER

The UK's oldest surviving Second World War veteran, a sprightly 109 year old, has been honoured with a special Spitfire flyover.

War hero Donald Rose watched in delight as two of the iconic aircraft soared over his care home in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Donald is a proud recipient of France's highest medal, the Legion D'Honneur. Born in 1914, the same year Britain was plunged into the First World War, Donald was a strapping lad of 25 when he enlisted to fight in the Second World War. He served on the front line with the 7th Armoured Division.

A former sniper and Desert Rat, Donald also did his duty with the Queen's Royal Regiment and earned a number of medals during his service. Among these was the Legion D'Honneur - France's highest honour and one of the most prestigious in the world.

The flypast for Donald was part of a series of events to commemorate the Second World War and pay tribute to the armed forces. In a similar vein, last year saw a public appeal for people to send him birthday cards, resulting in him receiving more than 150 messages from well-wishers. He also had the pleasure of a visit from the Mayor of Erewash on the most recent Armistice Day.

Naomi Allsop, who works at Mr Rose's care home, said: "He's the oldest World War Two veteran in the UK - you learn about it at school, but being with him is something else. The wars are part of our history and if nobody celebrates the heroes, they will fade away.

"Donald was so excited about the flypast - it's lovely to see the whole of the UK getting involved to appreciate the work he and the other veterans did. Whenever we do any events like this, like Remembrance Day, he always says 'I'm not that special, I just did what I had to do'.

"He thinks the men that fell are the heroes, and he doesn't see himself as one because he lived and they didn't. He's so lovely, he likes to sing a lot and tells funny stories. I've known Donald since he came to the home and we've been best friends ever since.

"He says there's no secret to living a long life - but reckons his insides have been 'pickled' by drinking sea water and eating dog biscuits during the war." Donald, who has been full of life since moving into the care home in 2020, has one grandchild and three great-grandchildren. Prior to his move to Canal Vue, he resided in Westcott, Surrey with his late wife Jeannette for 55 years, before relocating to Derbyshire in 2000 following her passing.

Born on Christmas Eve 1914 in Surrey, Donald enlisted in the British Army in 1939 at the age of 25. He served with distinction in the Queen's Royal Regiment, in Guilford, with the 7th Armoured Brigade and fought bravely on the front-line during World War Two. During the tumultuous times of conflict, Donald joined the ranks of the 'Desert Rats' in the Eighth Army under the command of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, serving in Africa and playing a part in the liberation of Italy and France.

In addition to this, he honed his skills to become a sniper, with his service taking him across North Africa, Italy, France, Normandy, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Once the war had ended, Donald's valiant efforts were recognised as he was bestowed with the Legion D'Honneur - the highest honour medal in France.

The prestigious Legion d'honneur was established back in 1802 by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte, who was then the First Consul of France. This institution was a key component of Napoleon's broader ambition to reform the state, creating new incentives and rewards for those who excelled within French culture.

This ethos was also mirrored in the prizes given to leading figures in the sciences, and the civil dignity of the Marshals of the Empire for top-ranking generals from 1804.

2024-05-07T12:10:24Z dg43tfdfdgfd