News, East Midlands
Donald Rose, the UK’s oldest surviving World War Two veteran, has died at the age of 110.
Erewash Borough Council, which presented Mr Rose with a freedom honour in May, confirmed the news on Friday.
Mr Rose, who served in the Queen’s Royal Regiment as a sniper, survived a bullet to the leg during the D-Day Landings.
Council leader James Dawson paid tribute to Mr Rose, who lived at a care home in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, saying: “Erewash was privileged to count him as a resident.”
The veteran, originally from Westcott, Surrey, joined the regiment at the age of 25 and went on to train as a sniper.
He served in North Africa and Europe, and put his longevity down to salty water he had to drink during his time as a Desert Rat.
Mr Rose was eventually a recipient of France’s highest award – the French Legion of Honour.
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.
When Mr Rose 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.
Mr Rose was serenaded on his 110th birthday by opera star Alfie Boe via video call, who sang a special version of Happy Birthday.
He also received a card from Buckingham Palace.
Dawson confirmed the borough council would fly its flags at half-mast in honour of Mr Rose, and offered his condolences to his family.
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.”
