Britain's oldest Second World War veteran dies aged 110
Donald Rose, who could be Britain's oldest man, was born on Christmas Eve in 1914 and would become one of the first soldiers on the beach during the D-Day landings, where he was shot in the leg.
Mr Rose was brought up in Westcott, near Dorking in Surrey, as the youngest of four brothers and three sisters.
In the middle of 1940, at the age of 25, he enlisted in Guildford and went through training at the Stoughton Barracks.
He would go on to fight in North Africa as one of the iconic 'Desert Rats', the highly regarded British Army brigade who fought at Tobruk.
He was also part of an advance party 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.
Mr Rose was presented with the prestigious 'Freedom of the Borough' award by Erewash Borough Council in May,
The council, in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, confirmed his death on Friday, with council leader James Dawson paying tribute to a 'war hero'.
Mr Dawson said: 'Erewash was privileged to count him as a resident.'
When he was presented with the award by council mayor Harry Atkinson, Mr Rose said: 'I didn't do anything that anyone else would not have done.'
'We just did what we thought was right'
On May 8, Mr Rose joined 45 other veterans as guests of honour at a tea party celebration hosted by the Royal British Legion in Staffordshire.
The event, which was held at the National Memorial Arboretum, marked 80 years since Germany formally surrendered to the Allies in the Second World War.
At the event, Mr Rose said he did not celebrate what is known as 'VE' (Victory in Europe) day.
He said: 'When I heard that the Armistice had been signed 80 years ago, I was in Germany at Belsen and, like most active soldiers, I didn't get to celebrate at that time.
'We just did what we thought was right and it was a relief when it was over. I never would have believed I would be remembering this day at 110 years old.
'It's meaningful to come here today with the Royal British Legion, to remember the people who didn't come back.'
To mark his death, Erewash council flew its flags at half mast.
Oldest in Europe
According to the European Supercenterian Organisation, the oldest man in the UK is now Hugh Kerr, of Paisley in Scotland.
He is 109 years and 276 days old.
The oldest person in Britain, and all of Europe, remains Ethel Catherham, of Lightwater, in Surrey, who is 115 years and 325 days old.
Women make up 18 of the 20 oldest people in the UK.
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Britain's oldest Second World War veteran has died aged 110. Donald Rose, who could be Britain's oldest man, was born on Christmas Eve in 1914 and would become one of the first soldiers on the beach during the D-Day landings, where he was shot in the leg. Mr Rose was brought up in Westcott, near Dorking in Surrey, as the youngest of four brothers and three sisters. In the middle of 1940, at the age of 25, he enlisted in Guildford and went through training at the Stoughton Barracks. He would go on to fight in North Africa as one of the iconic 'Desert Rats', the highly regarded British Army brigade who fought at Tobruk. He was also part of an advance party 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. Mr Rose was presented with the prestigious 'Freedom of the Borough' award by Erewash Borough Council in May, The council, in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, confirmed his death on Friday, with council leader James Dawson paying tribute to a 'war hero'. Mr Dawson said: 'Erewash was privileged to count him as a resident.' When he was presented with the award by council mayor Harry Atkinson, Mr Rose said: 'I didn't do anything that anyone else would not have done.' 'We just did what we thought was right' On May 8, Mr Rose joined 45 other veterans as guests of honour at a tea party celebration hosted by the Royal British Legion in Staffordshire. The event, which was held at the National Memorial Arboretum, marked 80 years since Germany formally surrendered to the Allies in the Second World War. At the event, Mr Rose said he did not celebrate what is known as 'VE' (Victory in Europe) day. He said: 'When I heard that the Armistice had been signed 80 years ago, I was in Germany at Belsen and, like most active soldiers, I didn't get to celebrate at that time. 'We just did what we thought was right and it was a relief when it was over. I never would have believed I would be remembering this day at 110 years old. 'It's meaningful to come here today with the Royal British Legion, to remember the people who didn't come back.' To mark his death, Erewash council flew its flags at half mast. Oldest in Europe According to the European Supercenterian Organisation, the oldest man in the UK is now Hugh Kerr, of Paisley in Scotland. He is 109 years and 276 days old. The oldest person in Britain, and all of Europe, remains Ethel Catherham, of Lightwater, in Surrey, who is 115 years and 325 days old. Women make up 18 of the 20 oldest people in the UK.
