The last British veteran of World War II died

Donald Rose, the longest-lived British veteran of World War II and also considered the oldest man in the United Kingdom, died at the age of 110, according to the Erewash town council, in the north of England. Rose, who participated in crucial moments of the conflict, such as the historic D-Day landings and the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, was described as a “war hero” by council leader James Dawson. In his honor, the municipality flew the flags at half-mast. Born on December 24, 1914, in Westcott, southwest of London, Rose joined the British army at age 25 and was trained as a sniper. He served in North Africa, Italy, and France as part of the 7th Armored Division, known as the “Desert Rats,” a key unit in the defense of the Suez Canal.

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During his service, he was shot in the leg during D-Day, June 6, 1944, and subsequently was part of the contingent that liberated the Nazi concentration camp in Bergen-Belsen, northern Germany. He was there when the armistice was signed, which is why, as he himself recounted, he could not celebrate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). “We just did what we thought was right, and it was a relief when it was over,” Rose expressed in one of his last public acts. In May of this year, he participated in a commemorative ceremony organized by the Royal British Legion at the National Memorial Arboretum, where he shared tea with 45 other veterans in honor of the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Rose received multiple decorations for her bravery, including the Legion of Honor, the highest distinction awarded by the French government. Anecdotally, she always attributed her longevity to the salt water she drank during her stay in the North African desert.

United Kingdom bids farewell with respect and gratitude to a witness and protagonist of some of the toughest and most decisive chapters in contemporary history. His legacy endures as a symbol of courage, humility, and service.