County Fermanagh D-Day veteran Bill Eames dies aged 97
- Published
Bill Eames was honoured for his services to the Royal Air Forces Association and community work in County Fermanagh
One of the last surviving D-Day pilots, Bill Eames from County Fermanagh, has died aged 97.
The RAF pilot was involved in two of the second world war's key battles, the Allied plan to secure Pegasus Bridge and Operation Market Garden.
In 2020, he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.
The recognition was for community work and services to the Royal Air Forces Association.
Speaking in 2019, Mr Eames said it was an "honour" to be receiving the award.
"It helps bring attention to the work of the Royal Air Forces Association, especially it's Fermanagh Branch, and their care for the welfare of ex-RAF personnel in my home County Fermanagh," he explained.
D-Day veteran goes back to school
The Enniskillen-born serviceman spent D-Day helping to tow gliders to Ouistreham in Normandy on 6 June 1944.
The troops onboard the gliders would go on to secure Pegasus Bridge, a key Allied objective in preventing a counter-attack by German forces.
Mr Eames took part in some of the most important battles of World War Two
The flight lieutenant was injured during another of the second world war's most significant events, Operation Market Garden.
For its first two days, Mr Eames dropped glider-borne soldiers into the area around Arnhem in the Netherlands.
The plan was a failed attempt to secure an Allied advance into Germany.
On the third day of the operation, Flt Lt Eames was badly injured by anti-aircraft fire while resupplying ground troops from a low level.
Although wounded, he carried on and helped the other members of the crew to bring the bomber home, when he collapsed and was hospitalised with a lengthy stay.
In a tweet, First Minister Arlene Foster said she was "deeply saddened" to learn of the death of her "dear friend".
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Mr Eames was vice-president of Ulster Flying Club, where he worked as an instructor until he was 80.
Ulster Flying Club said he would be "fondly remembered by all".
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In a tweet, the US Consulate in Belfast said Mr Eames' "heroism at the forefront of allied efforts in World War II will never be forgotten".
- Published28 December 2019
