Normandy veteran John Stokes, born in Lowestoft, has died in Rutland, aged 100

A Suffolk-born Normandy veteran who celebrated his 100th birthday this year has died peacefully at his home.

John Stokes remembered crossing the Channel and liberating the French city of Caen as German soldiers retreated.

And right up until his final days he kept his mind sharp through reading books and good conversation, often joking around with carers at Crown House Care Home in Oakham.

Born in Lowestoft on January 2, 1924, John swam in the sea nearly every day as a boy and despite not having a wealthy background he made the grade to attend the town’s St John’s Grammar School.

One of his first memories of the Second World War was a lone German Dornier aircraft bombing Lowestoft library, scattering thousands of books across the streets.

John left school to work in a shop selling menswear but aged 18 he was called up for military service and in 1942 went for an interview during which he was asked, ‘army, navy or air force?’.

Having trained previously with the St John Ambulance, he chose to join the British Army as a medic. It was a decision that shaped his life.

After being subjected to a very short haircut at Norwich Barracks, he joined the 51st Highland Division, which had suffered losses at Dunkirk and needed to bolster its numbers with English and Welsh soldiers.

The new recruits were trained and sent to Normandy, having boarded a ship at Tilbury Docks on the Thames. There were about 60,000 men crossing the Channel at that time.

More than 80 years later, John recalled: “We broke through to Caen and once we had captured the city we crossed the river at Rouen and continued up to Saint-Valery.

“We were then sent into Germany, where we encountered Russian soldiers - I didn’t like them much - and then we were told we would go to Japan, where the war was still being fought.”

When they reached the Middle East, America dropped the first atomic bombs on Japan and the war ended. John and his regiment were dropped off in Ismalia by the Suez Canal, where they remained for two years while the mass demobilisation of the Allied forces was carried out.

“I was there for two years before I was able to come home, and we had quite a good time,” John remembered.

John met Betty back in the UK, and they married in Aberdeen in 1951 before moving to a bungalow in Caistor-on-Sea in Norfolk.

He became a buyer for Debenhams, working his way up through the company, helping to run branches in Chelmsford, King’s Lynn, Staines, Manchester and Birmingham. He was also main board of directors in London.

His daughter, Elizabeth, remembers her dad as showing no snobbery despite his position.

“He didn’t care about status, money or material things. He treated everyone equally and with great respect, although he could be a tough boss to the managers who reported to him.

“Dad was honourable and a man of great integrity. He had a Christian attitude without being particularly religious.”

John stayed loyal to Debenhams, finishing up as the company’s operations director, and on his retirement used his knowledge to become a consultant supporting other retailers.

In 2000, John and Betty moved to Clipsham, and it was while living there that John was selected to receive the Légion d’honneur, the highest French order of merit, for his part in the liberation of France.

They lived in the village until Betty’s death three years ago, with John spending the final couple of years of his life at Crown House Care Home.

Care manager Charlotte Watt has fond memories of John, describing him as “a huge character within Crown House” and “liked and well-respected by residents and staff”.

“John enjoyed telling stories from his time serving in the army,” she added. “It was something he was immensely proud of and he wore his medals with pride.

“John also enjoyed making people laugh and he had a very cheeky personality, often saying things with a twinkle in his eye. He would stick stickers on his face during craft activities or jokingly take his hearing aids out when we had singing entertainment.

“But he was also always very grateful, and would often make speeches to thank the staff for all they do. He is sadly missed by everyone at Crown House but will always be remembered.”

His family remember him as dedicated to his wife and especially supportive of those who were having a hard time, encouraging them to dust themselves off and stay positive.

“He used to say, ‘When things go against you, never give up - it’s just the time and the tide will turn’,” remembers Elizabeth.

“Even in his final week he was telling us, ‘I’m fine’. He’ll be having a gin and tonic with mum now.”

John died on August 16. His funeral will be at 10.30am on September 9 at Great Glen Crematorium followed by a service in St Mary’s Church in Clipsham and a gathering for family and friends at The Olive Branch.

He leaves his daughters Elizabeth Montgomery and Diane Mackie, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.