Bridlington Normandy veteran Peter English dies aged 98

Peter English, one of Britain's last surviving Normandy veterans, has died aged 98

One of Britain's last surviving Normandy veterans has died aged 98, his family has announced.

Aged 19, Peter English, who lived in East Yorkshire, landed on Gold Beach after D-Day.

He served with 65th Norfolk Yeomanry Anti Tank Regiment, later telling a local newspaper: "It was a very difficult time, but I was not involved in any death or glory incidents.

"I just remember being shouted at and told to keep my head down."

Mr English died at his care home in Bridlington on 7 December.

His daughter Joy Harrison told the BBC her father was "always modest" when describing his role in the allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France in June 1944.

Peter English and wife Brenda were married for 66 years

A proud Yorkshireman who "called a spade a spade", Mr English was also "known for his geniality, his wicked sense of humour and his charm", she said.

In later life, Mr English enjoyed several visits to France and Holland with his fellow Normandy veterans.

"He was greatly moved by the warmth and gratitude, both young and old, on visits," said Ms Harrison.

She said her father was "immensely proud to wear his medals", especially the Légion d'Honneur awarded to him in 2016.

France awarded the honour to British veterans to recognise their roles in France and Europe's liberation in World War Two.

Born in Beeston, Leeds, to parents Edward and Kathleen, Mr English enlisted into the Army two months after his 18th birthday in 1943.

After landing in France, Mr English continued on through Belgium and Holland and eventually into Germany.

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A skilled linguist before the war, Mr English transferred to the Army's interpreters pool, based in Germany. He finished his military career as a warrant officer in 1947.

In 1949, Mr English travelled to Ghana as a cocoa buyer for Cadbury, where he remained for three years until a severe case of malaria forced him to return to England.

Mr English met his future wife Brenda Travis in 1952 at a Scarborough dance hall. They married in 1954 and were married for 66 years until her death in May 2020.

After marrying, the couple moved to Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, where their daughter was born, followed a few years later by son Andrew.

Mr English's funeral was held at East Riding Crematorium

During this time, Mr English bought a static caravan in the East Yorkshire resort of Bridlington.

A promotion with Cadbury prompted the family to move to Derbyshire, which is where second son Mark was born.

The family later spent time in Nigeria and Malaysia, before returning to Derbyshire.

Mr English took early retirement and he and his wife moved to Bridlington, where they would spend the rest of their lives.

Besides his children, Mr English is survived by six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Mr English's funeral, which included The Last Post and a minute's silence, was held on 4 January at East Riding Crematorium in Octon.