Pensioner goes AWOL, turns up in Normandy

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1088...in-France.html

An 89-year-old Second World War veteran told he could not attend today’s D-Day events in France went AWOL from his care home and was found 12 hours later in Normandy with comrades police have confirmed.
The unnamed veteran decided to disregard his carers’ orders, put on his medals under his raincoat and set off to join events on the beaches of Northern France for the 70th anniversary of the landings.

Possibly the best story of these commemorations. Good on him.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Chris

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1088...in-France.html



Possibly the best story of these commemorations. Good on him.

Totally agree..........brought a tear to my eye

[Derek]

Love it, when you think of the utter hell they went through on those beaches some of our current generations moans and complaints are shown for how simple and petty they are.

[Osem]

that man.

Stuff the suits and honour their comrades who fell...




to them all!

My father was on a minesweeper during the war but like many veterans doesn't want to talk about his experiences. The one story I recall him telling me was how they came across the scene of a torpedoed US ship and stopped to pick up bodies despite the danger to their own vessel. They felt it was their duty to rescue as many of the Americans as they could even though they were all dead. He described them as stiff like statues and somehow that made the task of getting the bodies on board easier to bear.

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

Carers???? More like couldn't "care" less there's such a lack of respect in this country these days.

[thenry]

This story pretty much sums it all up. Special day. Special people.

The vanishing veteran, Bernard Jordan, celebrated his 90th birthday yesterday, and has been overwhelmed to have received birthday cards from all over the world.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/1...day-cards.html

[Qtx]

They would have claimed health and safety reasons, lack of staff and all sorts as reasons not to let him go. The fact that he got there fine and would have got back in one piece shows how restrictive this rules and regulations can be. Those who fight them get what they want and become hero's to some.

Break some rules and have some fun

Yes it's a great story although let's not assume the nursing home were being cruel or harsh. They almost certainly had his best interests at heart. Just because he wanted to go, just because it was brilliant that he did and that he did so without harm doesn't mean that the nursing home made the wrong call from a medical or safety point of view.

[thenry]

Happy 90th Mr Soldier!

[Qtx]

Originally Posted by Damien

Just because he wanted to go, just because it was brilliant that he did and that he did so without harm doesn't mean that the nursing home made the wrong call from a medical or safety point of view.

The fact that he made the trip shows he was more than capable of making the trip. Restrictive insurance and health and safety reasons meant they probably made the right decision for the company looking after him, but not him as an individual. On a personal level, the level that matters, it was a wrong call.

[thenry]

A World War Two veteran who disappeared from his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France has died.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-30699446

RIP

[Osem]

Glad he made his escape and has gone to rest having carried out his final mission. RIP.

[nashville]

Just heard on the news. That his wife has passed away, Now they will both be together, RIP

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by nashville

Just heard on the news. That his wife has passed away, Now they will both be together, RIP

May they both rest in peace.