- Royal Navy veteran Henry Rice, who served as a signaller during the Normandy landings in the Second World War , has died at the age of 100 in Cranleigh, Surrey .
- Tributes have been paid by the Spirit of Normandy Trust and the Veterans' Foundation, praising Mr Rice for dedicating his later life to ensuring the sacrifices of Allied personnel were never forgotten.
- During the 1944 invasion, Mr Rice served aboard HMS Eastway off Juno Beach transporting personnel and military equipment, service for which he was awarded France's prestigious Legion d’Honneur.
- Earlier this year, Mr Rice returned to France for D-Day anniversary commemorations to speak with schoolchildren about the war, emphasizing the vital importance of teaching young people about past conflicts to maintain world peace.
- Following his wartime service in Normandy, the Mediterranean , and the Far East, Mr Rice worked on cruise ships and in the local fire service, while actively participating in major UK remembrance events, including handing the Queen the final ceramic poppy at the Tower of London .
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