'So many made the supreme sacrifice... and we salute them'

Birthday tribute to fallen WWII comrades

- By Giles Sheldrick Chief Reporter

D-Day warrior Ken Hay marked his 100th birthday with a moving tribute to his brothers in arms who were cut down in their prime.

Ken was captured weeks after the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. Nine of his pals were killed in an ambush while Ken and four others were taken prisoner and put to work as slaves in a Polish coal mine.

During the final stages of the Second World War, with the Russians approaching, Ken and 80,000 fellow PoWs were forced on a 1,000-mile march in freezing temperatures.

He was freed by American troops and returned to the UK just before VE Day, for an emotional reunion with his family.

Ken has since dedicated his life to honouring those who did not return.

And he makes annual pilgrimages to the British Normandy Memorial to pay his respects to them.