WW2 veteran Donald Rose 'leaves such a legacy behind'

BBC News

15-07-2025

"We need more Donalds around to make the world a better place."The death of Donald Rose, the UK's oldest surviving World War Two veteran, was announced by Erewash Borough Council on Friday.His bravery during the conflict, which included surviving being shot in the leg during the D-Day landings, led to multiple honours decades later.Canal Vue Care Home in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, had been the setting for the final years of the 110-year-old's life - and he made quite the impression on the staff there.Activity co-ordinator Naomi Allsop described Mr Rose as an "amazing" man and a "walking history book". She told the BBC she got to know him when he first moved into the care home in 2020, aged 105, and the pair created a bucket list of activities he wanted to do in his remaining years.
Ms Allsop said he managed to complete the bucket list, which included a vintage motorbike show at the care home, getting into a fire engine, and taking part in a flight simulator, while describing each activity as "the best thing ever"."We just used to be like friends, you know, like two buddies. We used to go shopping, go for walks, just sit down and chat," she said."That's all he wanted, just someone to sit down and talk with him. And he used to love singing. So, of course, I love singing as well so we used to sing together and just be happy really."I wouldn't call him a resident, he was more of a friend to me."
Mr Rose, originally from Westcott, Surrey, joined the Queen's Royal Regiment at the age of 25 and went on to train as a sniper.He served in North Africa and Europe, and put his longevity down to salty water he had to drink during his time as a Desert Rat.He survived a bullet to the leg during the D-Day Landings and was part of the division that liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in northern Germany.Mr Rose was eventually a recipient of France's highest award - the French Legion of Honour.Ms Allsop said: "Never in my life or in anyone else's life would you have thought you could speak to a war hero and just knowing that he was just an ordinary guy and he always said 'I was no different to anyone else, I did what I had to do'."Just so humble, he will leave such a huge legacy behind."Earlier this year, as the country marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Mr Rose was part of a special episode of The One Show to mark the occasion, and filmed with comedian and war history enthusiast Al Murray.
In May, Mr Rose was awarded the Freedom of Erewash at a ceremony at his care home.When he was presented with the Freedom of Erewash, he said it was "great" and thanked all who had come to see him."I didn't do anything that anybody else wouldn't have done," he said at the time.
Erewash Borough Council leader James Dawson paid tribute to Mr Rose and said Erewash was "privileged to count him as a resident". His son David Rose previously described his father as "amazing"."He always worked so hard. After the war, he drove a dust cart, then worked for the gas board and he would do any work to put food on the family table," he said."Bearing in mind what he's been through, it's quite something, and he's still here to tell the tale."You start telling [his] story and you get a lump in your throat. All I can say is I'm extremely proud of the man."A spokesperson for the Royal British Legion said: "Donald's life and legacy will forever serve as a poignant reminder of the invaluable sacrifices made by those who served during the Second World War."We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends."