'Bravery? We did just our job as well as we could'

THE greatest generation met the youngest as the last of our D-Day liberators gave an emotional salute ahead of the Normandy invasion's 80th anniversary.

- Giles sheldrick

Nine lionhearts of the mighty military landings of June 6, 1944, that freed Europe mustered yesterday at London's Union Jack Club to fulfil a final mission.

They are determined to ensure the world never forgets those who left the UK as teenagers but never returned home, and that future generations never witness the horrors they endured.

The heroes, aged 98 to 103, recounted derring-do, sorrow, loss - and pure good luck - to spellbound youngsters with little knowledge about the Second World War or the Allied victory that secured the freedoms we now enjoy. It comes weeks before the veterans again set sail for the beaches of north western France, this time to honour their fallen brothers in arms.

Yesterday's glittering gathering marked one of the last occasions the men, in blazers, regimental ties and gleaming medals, will stand tall together.

Also there to honour them and share a song and dance or three were 2018 Britain's Got Talent finalists the D-Day Darlings troupe.

The event, organised by the Normandy Memorial Trust and the Spirit of Normandy Trust, brought together soldiers, sailors and pupils aged 10-14 from three London schools Kingsford Community in Beckton, Parkwood Primary, Finsbury Park, and Norfolk House, in Muswell Hill.

Warriors Ken Hay, 98, Alec Penstone, 99, Stan Ford, 98, Henry Rice, 98, Donald Howkins, 103, Richard Aldred, 99, Gilbert Clarke, 98, John Dennett, 99, and Mervyn Kersh, 99, were feted as conquering heroes as they told poppywearing pupils how our freedom hung in the balance in the dark summer of 1944.

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