A veteran who helped to liberate Europe from the Nazi occupation has died at the age of 100.
Albert Keir was part of the D-Day naval crew which carried American troops to Utah Beach in France on 6 June 1944.
Mr Keir, from Bakewell, in Derbyshire, was handed the Freedom of Derbyshire in recognition of his service and life achievements on 12 February.
The Royal British Legion, which confirmed the news on Tuesday, said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of his passing, adding that it will “miss him very much”.
SuppliedMr Keir had been working as a painter and decorator after leaving school at the age of 14 and was a member of the Local Defence Volunteers.
In 1943 he joined the Navy, where as a seaman he carried out general ship and gunnery duties on the Flower class corvette HMS Potentilla.
He was discharged slightly before the war ended in 1945 as part of a “category B” discharge, offered to those in the construction trade who could repair and build houses ready for the massive amount of people coming home at once.
During the 1950s, he began working as a painter and decorator for Derbyshire County Council, where he spent the majority of his working life until he retired in 1990, aged 65.
Mr Keir was awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honour (Legion d’honneur) by the French government in 2015, the highest French order of merit for military and civilian personnel.
PA MediaBefore receiving the Freedom of Derbyshire, Mr Keir returned to Normandy in June last year with other veterans to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
While there he met King Charles III and Queen Camilla, among other dignitaries.
The Royal British Legion (RBL) described Albert as a “close friend” as he became an active member of the Legion’s social calendar and became one of the longest-serving poppy sellers in the country.
In tribute, a RBL spokesperson said: “Albert’s smile lit up every room he entered, whilst his dancing skills were legendary.
“We are immensely grateful for Albert’s service, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.”
More than 500 people have comment on the RBL’s tribute to Mr Keir, thanking him for his service and offering condolences to his family.
