Police escort D-Day veteran, 104, to memorial

Former Royal Engineer Don Sheppard is believed to be the oldest D-Day veteran in Essex

A 104-year-old D-Day veteran was given a police escort to a memorial service on the 80th anniversary of the military operation.

Former Royal Engineer Don Sheppard, from Basildon in Essex, was escorted from his home to the Living Memorial in Rettendon on Thursday.

On 6 June 1944, Mr Sheppard landed in Normandy and was tasked with securing Juno beach.

Insp Steve Parry said: “This is the least we could do for our local D-Day hero, Don, and we’re so honoured to have been part of his special day."

Insp Steve Parry described the veteran as a "remarkable" man

The force's roads policing unit provided the escort to the village of Rettendon

Mr Sheppard feared earlier this year he would be unable to attend the service.

The centenarian - believed to be the oldest D-Day veteran in Essex - also served in north Africa and Sicily in Italy.

Mr Sheppard travelled in an adapted mobility vehicle and was escorted by officers from the force's roads policing unit.

Insp Parry added: "He is a remarkable man and his family is rightly extremely proud of him."

Don Sheppard, who served with the Royal Engineers, rode motorbikes during World War Two

The Living Memorial was created in 2008 by Fran and Peter Theobald.

It contains several memorials to individual wars and campaigns, such as Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as tributes to the emergency services.