Normandy hero dies just weeks after 105th birthday

THE oldest survivor of the Normandy landings has died, just three weeks after his 105th birthday.

Jock Wilson, who was awarded the Legion d'Honneur for his role in liberation of France, died at Hollytrees Nursing Home, Dunbar, East Lothian, earlier this week.

The Second World War hero was an observer for the 79th Regiment Royal Artillery and landed on Juno beach on June 6, 1944. He was later awarded the Military Medal for his bravery that day.

His daughter Joyce Bell, who was only two-weeks-old when her father went to war, said yesterday: "He was well-known in Dunbar but I have had calls of condolence from all over the world.

"Everyone was amazed he made it to 105 and that he was in such good form. He was very popular because of his sense of humour. Even last week when he was ill, he said to my cousin, who was at the end of his bed, 'sit down, you're making the place look untidy'."

She said her father never spoke of the invasion until after he visited Normandy in 1990.

"He even hid his medals away in a drawer," she said. "But after he visited Normandy, he began to tell the grandchildren stories about it and he opened up a lot more."

She thanked the staff at Hollytree Nursing Home, the members of the Provost Club and the Normandy veterans for helping her father through his final days.

On his 105th birthday, on September 7, Mr Wilson was presented with his second letter from the Queen by East Lothian's Lord Lieutenant, Gareth Morrison.

Mr Wilson was 36 when the war broke out in 1939 and originally deemed too old to fight but, by 1941, he was called up due to his earlier service in the Territorial Army. In 2004 he was awarded the Legion d'Honneur, France's highest decoration, for his war effort.

He married Lily Ross in October 1934 at the Plaza ballroom in Morningside. Sadly, Lily died in 1964. After the war, Mr Wilson, a lifelong Hibs fan, returned to stationers McNiven and Cameron, where he worked until his retirement in 1976.

On his 95th birthday, Mr Wilson relived his days in the artillery by firing the One o'Clock Gun.

When asked about his recollections of the war on the 50th anniversary of D-Day Landings, he said: "It was a hell of a time we went through over there. I still think about it often, especially now. I tell my grandchildren about it and they're very interested. I hope they never have to know anything like it."

A funeral service will be held at Mortonhall Crematorium Main Chapel on Friday, at 3pm.