A hero's farewell

TOWN TURNS OUT TO HONOUR D-DAY VETERAN DONALD, 110, ON HIS FINAL JOURNEY

- By OSCAR FISHER [e-mail]

THE people of Ilkeston took to the streets to honour Donald Rose, a veteran of the Second World War who died at the age of 110.

Mr Rose, who was the UK's oldest man when he died in July, served on the front line with the 7th Armoured Division, known as the Desert Rats. He saw action across Europe and North Africa, and even survived a bullet to the leg during the Normandy landings.

Yesterday, the coffin of Mr Rose, a lover of motorbikes, was escorted from Ilkeston Town Football Club by more than 180 bikers, as well as dozens of military personnel, following a memorial service at the club’s New Manor Ground.