11-07-2025
Derbyshire veteran Donald Rose has died at care home aged 110
Britain's oldest Second World War veteran has died at the age of 110.
Donald Rose, from Ilkeston in Derbyshire, served with the Desert Rats in North Africa before going on to fight across Europe.
He was born in 1914 and served on the front line with the 7th Armoured Division.
After surviving a bullet to the leg during the Normandy landings Mr Rose went on to become the nation's oldest forces veteran.
The Canal Vue Care Home, where the veteran was residing, has confirmed that he passed away on Friday (11 July).
Erewash council leader, James Dawson, led tributes to Mr Rose following the announcement of his death.
As the borough prepared to fly its flags at half-mast to mark the old soldier's passing, Cllr Dawson said: 'Our condolences go out to Donald's family and all who knew him."
'Erewash was privileged to count him as a resident.'
In May the town hall sent a delegation to the Canal Vue Care Home to Mr Rose with its highest honour – the Freedom of the Borough.
Donald would have celebrated his one hundred and eleventh birthday on Christmas Eve and he partly put his longevity down to the salty water he had to drink while serving as a Desert Rat.
He also joked that Maltesers chocolate and the 'odd tot of rum' may also have played a part.
