UK's oldest man and WWII veteran, Donald Rose, dies at 110
Rose participated in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, and was part of the division that liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in northern Germany.
In a statement Friday, the leader of the Erewash Borough Council in the north of England, James Dawson, announced Rose's death, calling him a 'war hero.'
'Erewash was privileged to count him as a resident,' he added.
In May, Rose joined 45 other veterans as guests of honor at a tea party celebration hosted by the Royal British Legion at the National Memorial Arboretum, to mark 80 years since Victory in Europe Day.
Rose, who was born on Christmas Eve in 1914 following the outbreak of hostilities in World War I, said at the event that he did not celebrate VE Day at the time.
'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,' he said. 'We just did what we thought was right and it was a relief when it was over.'
Originally from the village of Westcott, southwest of London, Rose joined the army aged 23 and served in North Africa, Italy and France, according to the Royal British Legion. He received a number of medals and was awarded France's highest honor, the Legion d'Honneur.
Rose is also believed to have been the UK's oldest man.
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Last Updated: Britain's oldest World War II veteran, Donald Rose, has died at the age of 110. Donald Rose, Britain's oldest World War II veteran, has died at the age of 110. Rose took part in the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944 and was a member of the division that helped liberate the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in northern Germany. James Dawson, leader of Erewash Borough Council in northern England, announced Rose's death on Friday, describing him as a 'war hero." He added, 'Erewash was privileged to count him as a resident." In May, Rose was among 45 veterans honoured at a tea party hosted by the Royal British Legion at the National Memorial Arboretum. The event marked 80 years since Victory in Europe Day. Born on Christmas Eve 1914, shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, Rose told the gathering that he did not celebrate VE Day at the time. '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," he said. 'We just did what we thought was right and it was a relief when it was over." Rose was originally from Westcott, a village southwest of London. He joined the army aged 23 and served in North Africa, Italy and France, according to the Royal British Legion. During his service, he received several medals and was awarded France's highest honour, the Legion d'Honneur. He is also believed to have been the oldest man in the UK at the time of his death. view comments First Published: July 12, 2025, 21:06 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
3 days ago
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Britain's oldest World War II veteran, Donald Rose, has died at the age of 110. Rose participated in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, and was part of the division that liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in northern Germany. In a statement Friday (July 11, 2025), the leader of the Erewash Borough Council in the north of England, James Dawson, announced Rose's death, calling him a 'war hero.' 'Erewash was privileged to count him as a resident,' he added. In May, Rose joined 45 other veterans as guests of honour at a tea party celebration hosted by the Royal British Legion at the National Memorial Arboretum, to mark 80 years since Victory in Europe Day. Rose, who was born on Christmas Eve in 1914 following the outbreak of hostilities in World War I, said at the event that he did not celebrate V-E Day at the time. '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,' he said. 'We just did what we thought was right and it was a relief when it was over.' Originally from the village of Westcott, southwest of London, Rose joined the army aged 23 and served in North Africa, Italy and France, according to the Royal British Legion. He received a number of medals and was awarded France's highest honour, the Legion d'Honneur. Rose is also believed to have been the U.K.'s oldest man.
