UK's oldest WW2 veteran endorsed for freedom honour

Councillors will vote on whether to grant the freedom of Erewash to 110-year-old Donald Rose on Thursday

The UK's oldest surviving World War Two veteran could be awarded the freedom of a borough in Derbyshire.

Erewash Borough Council has announced it will meet to vote on whether to grant the Freedom of the Borough to 110-year-old veteran Donald Rose, in the wake of the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

The motion, called by leader of the authority, councillor James Dawson, will be discussed at a full council meeting on Thursday.

"As the oldest resident of the borough and the nation's oldest veteran of the Second World War, the contributions of him and his generation have ensured the continuation of our values and democratic freedoms that we enjoy," Dawson said.

Mr Rose was joined at a VE Day party by comedian Al Murray and the Mayor of Erewash, Kate Fennelly

Mr Rose was born in Westcott in Surrey on 24 December 1914 and served in World War Two with the Queen's Royal Regiment.

After joining the Army, he trained as a sniper and served in North Africa and Europe

Mr Rose, who turned 110 on Christmas Eve, enjoyed a wartime-themed party at the care home where he lives in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, for VE day anniversary celebrations on Wednesday.

"We are at this moment in history where the war is just within living memory with veterans now," Dawson added.

"We felt with the few veterans that are left, we have a treasure in Donald.

"Giving him the freedom on the 80th anniversary of VE day, we felt it was a significant milestone that needed to be marked."