Latest news with #DonaldRose
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
WW2 veteran Donald Rose 'leaves such a legacy behind'
"We need more Donalds around to make the world a better place."The death of Donald Rose, the UK's oldest surviving World War Two veteran, was announced by Erewash Borough Council on bravery during the conflict, which included surviving being shot in the leg during the D-Day landings, led to multiple honours decades Vue Care Home in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, had been the setting for the final years of the 110-year-old's life - and he made quite the impression on the staff co-ordinator Naomi Allsop described Mr Rose as an "amazing" man and a "walking history book". She told the BBC she got to know him when he first moved into the care home in 2020, aged 105, and the pair created a bucket list of activities he wanted to do in his remaining years. Ms Allsop said he managed to complete the bucket list, which included a vintage motorbike show at the care home, getting into a fire engine, and taking part in a flight simulator, while describing each activity as "the best thing ever"."We just used to be like friends, you know, like two buddies. We used to go shopping, go for walks, just sit down and chat," she said."That's all he wanted, just someone to sit down and talk with him. And he used to love singing. So, of course, I love singing as well so we used to sing together and just be happy really."I wouldn't call him a resident, he was more of a friend to me." Mr Rose, originally from Westcott, Surrey, joined the Queen's Royal Regiment at the age of 25 and went on to train as a served in North Africa and Europe, and put his longevity down to salty water he had to drink during his time as a Desert survived a bullet to the leg during the D-Day Landings and was part of the division that liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in northern Rose was eventually a recipient of France's highest award - the French Legion of Allsop said: "Never in my life or in anyone else's life would you have thought you could speak to a war hero and just knowing that he was just an ordinary guy and he always said 'I was no different to anyone else, I did what I had to do'."Just so humble, he will leave such a huge legacy behind."Earlier this year, as the country marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Mr Rose was part of a special episode of The One Show to mark the occasion, and filmed with comedian and war history enthusiast Al Murray. In May, Mr Rose was awarded the Freedom of Erewash at a ceremony at his care he was presented with the Freedom of Erewash, he said it was "great" and thanked all who had come to see him."I didn't do anything that anybody else wouldn't have done," he said at the time. Erewash Borough Council leader James Dawson paid tribute to Mr Rose and said Erewash was "privileged to count him as a resident". His son David Rose previously described his father as "amazing"."He always worked so hard. After the war, he drove a dust cart, then worked for the gas board and he would do any work to put food on the family table," he said."Bearing in mind what he's been through, it's quite something, and he's still here to tell the tale."You start telling [his] story and you get a lump in your throat. All I can say is I'm extremely proud of the man."A spokesperson for the Royal British Legion said: "Donald's life and legacy will forever serve as a poignant reminder of the invaluable sacrifices made by those who served during the Second World War."We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends."
New York Post
6 days ago
- General
- New York Post
England's oldest WWII veteran, Donald Rose, dead at 110
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, the leader of the Erewash Borough Council in the north of England, James Dawson, announced Rose's death, calling him a 'war hero.' 3 Britain's oldest World War II veteran, Donald Rose, passed away at the age of 110. AP 3 Rose was part of the division that liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in northern Germany. AP '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.' 3 Wounded British troops from the South Lancashire and Middlesex regiments are being helped ashore at Sword Beach, June 6, 1944, during the D-Day invasion. AP 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 U.K.'s oldest man.
7 days ago
- General
UK's oldest WWII veteran, Donald Rose, dies at 110
LONDON -- 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, 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.
Telegraph
7 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Britain's oldest Second World War veteran dies aged 110
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.
Metro
12-07-2025
- General
- Metro
Britain's oldest Second World War veteran, Donald Rose, dies aged 110
Britain's oldest Second World War veteran, Donald Rose, has died aged 110, believed to be the oldest man in the UK. The D-Day veteran, who was born on Christmas Eve 1914, passed away this week, Erewash Borough Council confirmed. Ilkeston Council Leader James Dawson has paid tribute to Mr Rose as a war hero and sent condolences to his family. 'Erewash was privileged to count him as a resident,' he said. In May, Mr Rose joined 45 other veterans as guests of honour at a tea party celebration hosted by the Royal British Legion (RBL) at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, to mark 80 years since VE Day. Mr Rose, who was attached to the division which liberated Belsen concentration camp, said at the event that he did not celebrate the momentous day 80 years ago. 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.' In the same month, the Erewash mayor presented Mr Rose with the freedom of the borough for his bravery in the Second World War. More Trending According to the council, Mr Rose said he was proud and happy to receive it, but said: 'I didn't do anything that anyone else would not have done.' The council is flying its flags at half mast to mark Mr Rose's death. Originally from Westcott, Surrey, he joined the army aged 23 and served in North Africa, Italy and France, according to the RBL. He received a number of medals and was awarded France's highest honour: the Legion d'Honneur. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: 106-year-old man gives secret to long life and he eats a mug of it every day MORE: Daughter splashed £38,000 stolen from dementia-suffering dad on holidays MORE: Gardener who sliced throat with a chainsaw says cops thought his wife did it
